Nigeria: More men use alternative medicine to treat hypertension

Nigerian males are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) when treating hypertension. Belief in supernatural causes of hypertension, lack of belief in prevention, being male, and family history are major predictors of those that use CAM to cope with hypertension. Age, occupation, and education were not predictors of CAM usage. Males were more likely to use CAM than hospital visits because of its reduced cost.
"Complementary and alternative medicine in the management of hypertension in an urban Nigerian community"
Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2010; 10:36 (open access)
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/10/36/abstract

Date Posted: 22 July 2010