Abstract

Objective: The use of complementary/alternative medicine has increased especially for chronic diseases.in recent years .In this study, we aimed to evaluate use of complementary/alternative medicine in thalassemia patients.

Material and Methods: A standard questionnaire on complementary/alternative medicine was administered to 64 thalassemia patients or their parents.

Results: Of these 64 patients; 33 (51.6%) used one or more alternative/complementary medicine methods. The most frequently used complementary/alternative medicine method was the use of herbal medicine reported in 17 (26.6%). Neither parental education nor socio-economic status was related with the use of complementary/alternative medicine.

Conclusion: Complementary/alternative medicine is frequently used for thalassemia as for other chronic diseases. Educating patients and parents about the possible risk factors of using alternative/complementary medicine can help decrease the unfavorable results of such products

Keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine, Child, Thalassemia

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Copyright and license

How to cite

1.
Topal Y, Topal Y, Mısırlıoğlu E, Azık FM, Kocabaş CN. Use of Alternative Medicine in Thalassemia Patients. Turk J Pediatr Dis [Internet]. 2014 Dec. 1 [cited 2025 May 26];8(1):25-8. Available from: https://turkjpediatrdis.org/article/view/257