Complementary and Alternative Therapy Usage Status and Attitudes of Hypertension Patients

Aim: With the increase in chronic diseases, the number of patients using complementary and alternative medicine is increasing. In this study, it was aimed to examine the opinions and practices of complementary and alternative therapy usage status and attitudes of hypertension patients. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study consisting of 290 patients was performed with patients who applied to the cardiology and internal diseases outpatient clinic of a public hospital and diagnosed with hypertension. Data were collected by using the patient information form which including socio-demographic form, disease-related characteristics and opinions, and also practices of the patients about the use of complementary and alternative therapies and attitudes towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Scale. Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.52±11.19 and 63.1% were female, 83.4% were married, and 74.8% were at primary school and lower education level. Of patients, 56.9% use complementary and alternative treatment methods in addition to hypertension therapy. 27.3% of them think that they are more effective than drugs, 63% of them do not share the method they use with health care workers. The total score of the Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Scale is 23.05±5.80. The scores are taken out of the scale and the sub-dimensions differ according to the age groups, education level, monthly income status and complementary and alternative treatment methods usage status (p <0.05). Conclusion: It was found that patients use complementary and alternative methods but do not share them with health care workers, and they have a positive attitude towards holistic complementary and alternative medicine. It is considered important for health care professionals to question the use of these methods in planning the patients’ treatment.