The use of traditional medicines to lower blood pressure: A survey in rural areas in Yogyakarta
Riana Rahmawati, Beata Bajorek
Abstract
Background
Despite common usage of traditional medicines in rural populations, information about their use along with anti-hypertensive medications is limited.
Aims
To quantify the use of traditional medicines and to identify factors associated with their use among people with hypertension in a low-resource setting in Indonesia.
Methods
Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire from people with hypertension in rural villages in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Results
Two hundred sixty-three of 384 participants (68.5 per cent) used traditional medicines to help lower their blood pressure; about half (n=134) used only traditional medicines, and the other half (n=129) also took anti-hypertensive medications. Seventy-four participants (19.2 per cent) took only anti-hypertensive medications, and 47 (12.2 per cent) used neither traditional medicines nor anti-hypertensive medications. Herbal medicines were the most frequent products used, mainly herbs and herbal materials, which were obtained from traditional markets (n=169, 44 per cent), family members (n=100, 26 per cent) or their own garden (n=88, 23 per cent). The use of traditional medicines was not associated with any specific sociodemographic variables. However, among traditional medicines users, participants with a lower level of formal education were twice as likely to not take anti-hypertensive medications compared with those with a higher level of education.
Conclusion
To treat their hypertension, these rural villagers used traditional medicines more often than anti-hypertensive medications. Health professionals in rural areas should be aware of how the use of traditional medicine might affect hypertension management.
Full Text:
Despite common usage of traditional medicines in rural populations, information about their use along with anti-hypertensive medications is limited.
Aims
To quantify the use of traditional medicines and to identify factors associated with their use among people with hypertension in a low-resource setting in Indonesia.
Methods
Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire from people with hypertension in rural villages in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Results
Two hundred sixty-three of 384 participants (68.5 per cent) used traditional medicines to help lower their blood pressure; about half (n=134) used only traditional medicines, and the other half (n=129) also took anti-hypertensive medications. Seventy-four participants (19.2 per cent) took only anti-hypertensive medications, and 47 (12.2 per cent) used neither traditional medicines nor anti-hypertensive medications. Herbal medicines were the most frequent products used, mainly herbs and herbal materials, which were obtained from traditional markets (n=169, 44 per cent), family members (n=100, 26 per cent) or their own garden (n=88, 23 per cent). The use of traditional medicines was not associated with any specific sociodemographic variables. However, among traditional medicines users, participants with a lower level of formal education were twice as likely to not take anti-hypertensive medications compared with those with a higher level of education.
Conclusion
To treat their hypertension, these rural villagers used traditional medicines more often than anti-hypertensive medications. Health professionals in rural areas should be aware of how the use of traditional medicine might affect hypertension management.
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