Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 53 (1995)Traditional Herbal Medicine Practice in Al Ain DistrictStudent Authors: Faiza Ahmed AteeqFaculty Supervisors: Prof. O. Lloyd, Dr. A. BenerAbstract:Objective The major aim of this study was to define the practice and use of herbalmedicine for treating illness among Al Ain population. And the objectives were toestimate the prevalence, usage, and superiority of herbal medicine and to compare itwith modern medicine.Methodology This cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to interview 270subjects of Al Ain residents attending Tawam Hospital GP’s clinic, Al Masoudi clinic andAl Ain women’s college. Inclusion criteria comprised UAE and non-UAE national, bothsexes and all above 14 years of age. It was completed by using a personal interviewbased on questionnaire, which has been developed specially for this study.Results The result of this study showed that 93.2% believe in herbs, 78% had takensome form of herbs during their life and 30.4% taken some in the 4 weeks prior tointerview. Consumption of herbal medicine was higher in women (52.9%) than men(47.1%). The majority of people who used herbal medicines were in the age groups20-29 years (40.8%). The consumption of herbal medicine was highest among UAEnational (63.2%), and university graduates (54%). Common cold and dysmenorrheawere among common symptoms treated by herbs (31.6%) and (26.4%) respectively.Parents are the major prescribers (47.4%) and the market is the common source ofherbs (59.6%). Modern medicine is still considered more effective (31.6%), but herbalmedicine is less harmful (69.2%).Conclusion Herbal medicine was and still continue to be part of human life style in ourcommunity despite the dramatic development in health care system. This attitudetowards it is strengthened due to either an increase in un-safety or effects of modernmedicine.