Knowledge and Attitudes of Hypertensive Patients on the Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine

Background and purpose: High prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and its detrimental effects have resulted in more use of traditional and complementary medicine. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of hypertensive patients on the use of traditional and complementary medicine. Materials and methods: This descriptive study was performed in 400 hypertensive patients attending an academic outpatient clinic in Mazandaran Heart Center, Iran 2017. Data were recorded by a demographic questionnare and a researcher-made questionnaire about the knowledge and attitudes of hypertensive patients on the use of traditional and complementary medicine. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The mean HTN was 14.19±3.14 mm/Hg. Low and moderate awarness about the use of traditional and complementary medicine were seen in 63.5% and 36.5%, of hypertensive patients, respectively. Among the patients, 14% were found to have moderate attitude and 86% had positive attitude towards traditional and complementary medicine. Significant associations were found between attitude and marital stuatus, educational level, occupation, place of residence, comorbidities, and family history of the disease (P <0.001). There was a direct correlation between attitude and age (P= 0.01, r= 0.14) but a significant negative correlation between attitude and duration of HTN (P= 0.03, r = -0. 12). Conclusion: More than half of the patients had low knowledge about the use of traditional and complementary medicine, however, they were found to have positive attitudes toawrds traditional and complementary medicine. Therefore, health authorities are recommended to provide people with more information on traditional and complementary medicine.