The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Diabetic Patients in Nasiriya City

Diabetes is a predominant public health concern that has increased steadily worldwide . The disease causes substantial morbidity, mortality and long term complications. Herbs and natural products have been used in treatment of diabetes mellitus . Herbs and other plant products are considered more natural. They are a kind of home treatment and can be a part of home usual diet . Use of herbs is becoming popular more and more and is more appropriate for use in developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of use of herbal remedies among diabetic population in Nasiriya and to identify factors which might predict the likelihood of using herbal remedies. Cinnamon (Darcien) 12.3% and Black cumin(Habba soda) 11% . On univariant analysis , the factors which were found to affect the herbs use were education ,occupation , type of diabetes mellitus , duration of diabetes ,marital status and age . Using data analysis ,the significantly associated factors were occupation type of treatment and drug regularity . Health care providers should respect patients’ wishes to use herbal remedies and should provide advices about treatment by herbal remedies.