ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the knowledge about asthma and the prevalence, disclosure and evaluation of the use of complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] among asthmatic patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 95 patients diagnosed with asthma in a primary healthcare centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a self-administered questionnaire. Ninety-five patients with a mean age of 47.06 years [ +/- 12.8] participated, the majority were female [66.7%], Malay [72.6%]. The prevalence of ever-CAM use was 61.1%. The non-ever-CAM users' mean age was 51 +/- 13.9 years while the ever-CAM users' mean age was 44.5 +/- 11.5 years [P = 0.021]. Sixty-three females [66.8%] used CAM compared to 14 males [43.8%] [P = 0.014]. Thirty-six [62.1%] CAM users had not discussed use of CAM with their doctors. The main reason of non-disclosure was "the doctor never asked" [55.6%], and the main sources of information about CAM were family and relatives [46.6%]. There was no significant difference between use of CAM and knowledge about asthma. The majority of asthmatic patients used rubs [39%], foods [16.9%] and herbs [16.9%]. About 76% of asthmatic patients perceived CAM as good for their disease management. On linear multiple regression, Malay race [P = 0.026] and female gender [P = 0.006] were significant predictors of CAM use. Use of CAM among asthmatic patients is relatively high, particularly among females. The majority of asthmatic patients valued the use of CAM. Non-disclosure was high in this study. Health education of asthmatic patients about CAM is highly recommended