Predictors of herbal medicine use among cancer patients

Moroccan studies have shown a high frequency of use of traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM). No survey has investigated the predictive factors of the use of traditional herbal medicine. This study aims to assess the prevalence, the determinants, and the predictors of this use.

At the regional oncology center of Beni Mellal, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with 530 adult cancer patients chosen by quota sampling. A 54-item questionnaire was used to perform the face-to-face survey. The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) healthcare model was used to create this instrument.

The prevalence of traditional herbal medicine use was 36.6%. Several variables of the conceptual model were associated with the use of herbal medicine (gender, attitude, and belief towards T&CM, financial resources, and clinical characteristics of patients) (p < 0.05). Predictors of traditional herbal medicine use were female gender (OR = 4.687; p < 0.000), social impact of cancer (OR = 2.314; p < 0.05), emotional impact of cancer (OR = 2.314; p < 0. 05), expected benefits of T&CM use (OR = 3.453; p < 0.000), perceived scientific barriers (OR = 0.580; p < 0.000), perceived socioeconomic barriers (OR = 0.657; p < 0.005), and social norms of relatives (OR = 3.238; p < 0.000).

The use of herbal medicine is quite frequent. The profile of users is represented by women who experience pain and the psychosocial impact of cancer and who have positive beliefs about TCMs, are influenced by their relatives and who did not perceive the barriers of this use.