ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine the proportion of traditional and complementary medicine use and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 202 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The inclusion criteria are age more than 18 years old, diagnosed to have diabetes type 2 and on oral anti hyperglycemic medications or insulin or both.  Patients with diabetes type 1 and having mental problem were excluded from the study. The case report form consist of patients’ socio-demographic data, diabetic history and complications, types of T/CM used, and diabetes control. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and multiple logistic regression.

Result: The mean age of the respondents is 59.98 (9.1). Majority are Malays, unemployed and with no diabetic complications. The proportion of traditional and complementary medicineuse is 87 (43.1%). Gender and race were found to be significantly associated with the used of traditional and complementary medicine.

Conclusion: The proportion of used among diabetic patients is moderate. Gender and race were found significantly associated with the used of traditional and complementary medicine

Keywords: traditional and complementary medicine; type 2 diabetes mellitus; herbs