Complementary and alternative medicine use among Jordanian patients with diabetes

PurposeThis study explores the prevalence, type, frequency, purpose and pattern of herbal preparation use as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a cohort of patients with diabetes in Jordan.MethodThe study took the form of a cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient departments at The National Centre for Diabetes, Endocrine and Genetics (NCDEG), in Amman. The method was based on semi-structured questionnaire.ResultsA total of 1000 diabetes patients were interviewed. Of the participants, 16.6% (n = 166) reported using herbs. Most of CAM users were in the age group 51–60 years (n = 73, 44.0%) and predominantly female (59.6%). 139 of the CAM users (83.7%) had at least obtained a high school degree. The most common herbal product to be used was green tea (20.5%).ConclusionThis study confirmed that there is an appreciable prevalence of herbal use among patients with diabetes in Jordan.