Preprint / Version 1

Traditional and complementary medicine use among cancer patients in Nepal: a cross-sectional survey

Authors

  • Soo Choi Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea
  • Sangita Kunwor Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea
  • Hyea Im Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea
  • Jung Hwang Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
  • Dain Choi Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea
  • Dongwoon Han Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea

Keywords:

Cancer, Traditional and complementary medicine, Nepal

Abstract

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is commonly used in South Asian countries such as Nepal. There are various causes and contributing factors for patients with cancer to consider using T&CM. However, little is known about the use of T&CM among the cancer population in this region. Methods The study followed a cross-sectional design using a structured survey questionnaire. Survey participants were recruited from two National hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal. The survey instrument comprised 30 questions, including variables on demographics, use of T&CM, and perceived level of disease severity, and cancer treatment. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for data analysis using SPSS ver. 23.0. Results Of 908 participants, 31.6% used one or more modalities of T&CM after a cancer diagnosis. The most commonly used T&CM was Ayurveda (46.5%), followed by yoga (32.4%). About 46% of T&CM users discussed their use with their doctors. The main source of information on T&CM was their family members and relatives (55.7%). Cancer type (head and neck cancer OR: 2.30, CI: 1.23–4.29; abdominal cancer OR: 2.69, CI: 1.47–4.95; lung cancer OR: 5.88, CI: 2.69–12.89), cancer stage (Stage I OR: 1.92¸CI: 1.14–3.25; Stage II OR: 1.76, CI: 1.06–2.94), and the patients’ self-rated disease severity (high perceived severity OR: 1.50, CI: 1.05–2.16) were strong predictors of T&CM use. Conclusion This study underlined that despite the widespread use of T&CM among cancer patients in Nepal, most patients obtained information on T&CM from informal sources and did not disclose their use to physicians. To ensure the safe use of T&CM modalities, physicians should integrate questions on T&CM use into routine patient assessments in order to facilitate active communication and improve the quality of care. Keywords: Cancer, Traditional and complementary medicine, Nepal

Author Biographies

Soo Choi, Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea

Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

Sangita Kunwor, Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea

Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

Hyea Im, Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea

Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

Jung Hwang, Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Dain Choi, Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea

Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

Dongwoon Han, Department of Global Health and Development, Graduate School, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763 South Korea

Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

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