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Title: | Quantitative and qualitative analyses of herbal medication use among Ghanaian stroke survivors |
Authors: | Sarfo, Fred Stephen Ovbiagele, Bruce |
Keywords: | Herbal medicines Stroke types Africa Hypertension |
Issue Date: | Jun-2021 |
Publisher: | Journal of the Neurological Sciences |
Citation: | Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 427 (2021) 117540 |
Abstract: | Background: Herbal medicines are not regulated by regulatory authorities and are often not of proven safety and
efficacy. Anecdotal reports suggest widespread use of traditional herbal medicine (THM) for treatment of stroke
in Africa, but verifiable data are limited in published literature.
Objective: To assess the frequency and reasons for THM use among Ghanaian stroke survivors.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 106 consecutive stroke survivors presenting for care at a
tertiary medical center in Kumasi, Ghana between June and October 2020. Information on demographic, clinical,
vascular risk factors and use of THM were collected in a non-judgmental manner and analyzed.
Results: Among the cohort, 46 (43.4%) reported use of any THM for their stroke management. There was a trend
towards fewer women who reported use of THM 34.8% vs 53.3%, p = 0.06. Of those reporting use of THM, 78%
had blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg vs. 56% among those not exposed to THM (p = 0.02). Top reasons proffered
for use of THM were: expecting them to aid faster recovery from stroke (n = 30), expecting them to cure stroke
(n = 18), and expecting them to be of superior effectiveness compared to approved conventional medications of
proven efficacy/safety (n = 1).
Conclusion: Almost half the individuals in this contemporary sample of Ghanaian stroke survivors reported use of
THM with expectations for improved outcomes. More counseling is required to inform patients about potential
safety issues with THM use, and more research is needed to explore risk/benefit of promising THMs to improve
stroke outcomes. |
Description: | This article is published by Journal of the Neurological Sciences and is also available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117540 |
URI: | 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117540 http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/15659 |
Appears in Collections: | College of Health Sciences
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