The prevalence and patterns of usage of Ayurveda, Unani and home remedies in younger adults of rural North India

Abstract

Introduction: The study was conducted to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of Ayurveda, Unani medicines and folk medicine in comparison to the drug from the modern system (allopathy system) in rural areas of Mewat, Haryana. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional questionnaire-based community survey. The 300 healthy adult male volunteers more than 18 years of age participated in the survey in city Nuh of the district Mewat after obtaining the oral consent. All the participants were literate. Main Outcome Measures: The participants were asked about the experiences with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) medications in four different categories. Firstly; their preferences for using Ayurvedic, Unani, herbal, dietary supplements, home remedies or any other external preparation for disease. Second, whether they took the medicine by their own initiative, AYUSH doctor, Pharmacist and on recommendation of any other friend and family members. Third, perceived experiences of the medication taken as effects, side effects and do not know. Fourth, the conditions for which the medication was taken. Results: There was widespread utilization of Ayurveda (62%), Unani (74%) and other traditional therapies (76%) alternatively or complementarily for the different afflictions. The CAM was preferred by 60% of the respondents and 71% consider it to be more effective over allopathy. The majority (83%) sought the CAM treatment on family and friend’s recommndations. Conclusions: The CAM therapies have more acceptability in the general public because of their perceived high safety, lesser cost and accessible to the general public. However, the health-care infrastructure for providing acceptable CAM therapy is still lacking.