Traditional medicine use among adults living with hypertension in Cape Verde: A WHO STEPWISE study

Like many African countries, the people of Cape Verde hold strongly to traditional heritage and customs, including the use of traditional medicine in treating ailments. While existing studies in Cape Verde have explored the use of traditional medicine in treating and managing infectious and parasitic diseases, such as malaria, little is known about its use among adults living with hypertension. Given the high prevalence of hypertension in Cape Verde, it is imperative to understand whether those living with the condition use traditional medicine. As such, we assess the factors associated with traditional medicine use among adults living with hypertension in the archipelago nation of Cape Verde.

We analyzed the 2020 WHO STEPS survey for Cape Verde. With a sample size of 1,008 men and women, we performed descriptive analysis as well as bivariable and multivariable logistic regression in STATA 18. Variables were selected into the multivariable logistic regression through a stepwise approach.

The results indicate that 35.7% (95%CI: 31.5-40.2) of adults living with hypertension used traditional medicine. Women had more than twice the odds of using traditional medicine compared to men (AOR = 2.08, 95%CI: 1.48-2.92). Individuals aged 50 years and older had higher odds of using traditional medicine than those aged 18-29 years (AOR = 2.20; 95%CI: 1.01-4.81). Furthermore, those who did not consume alcohol had significantly higher odds of using traditional medicine compared to those who did (AOR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.10-1.99). Also, individuals in a hypertensive crisis stage had over twice the odds of using traditional medicine compared to those in the elevated hypertension stage (AOR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.25-4.80).

This study provides population level evidence that traditional medicine use is common among adults living with hypertension in Cape Verde, with more than one third reporting its use. It is shaped by demographic and behavioral factors including sex, age, alcohol consumption, and hypertensive crisis. These findings highlight the importance of routine clinical engagement and patient centered discussions regarding traditional medicine use among individuals with hypertension to support safe and coordinated disease management.