![](/images/graphics-bg.png)
Why Urban Citizens in Developing Countries Use Traditional Medicines : The Case of Suriname
Joint Authors
van Andel, Tinde
Carvalheiro, Luísa G.
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-04-07
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
The use of traditional medicines (TMs) among urban populations in developing countries and factors underlying people’s decision to use TMs are poorly documented.
We interviewed 270 adults in Paramaribo, Suriname, using a stratified random household sample, semistructured questionnaires, and multivariate analysis.
Respondents mentioned 144 medicinal plant species, most frequently Gossypium barbadense, Phyllanthus amarus, and Quassia amara.
66% had used TMs in the previous year, especially people who suffered from cold, fever, hypertension, headache, uterus, and urinary tract problems.
At least 22% combined herbs with prescription medicine.
The strongest explanatory variables were health status, (transfer of) plant knowledge, and health status combined with plant knowledge.
Other predictive variables included religion, marital status, attitude of medical personnel, religious opinion on TMs, and number of children per household.
Age, gender, nationality, rural background, education, employment, income, insurance, and opinion of government or doctors had no influence.
People’s main motivation to use TMs was their familiarity with herbs.
Given the frequent use of self-collected, home-prepared herbal medicine and the fact that illness and traditional knowledge predict plant use rather than poverty or a limited access to modern health care, the potential risks and benefits of TMs should be put prominently on the national public health agenda.
American Psychological Association (APA)
van Andel, Tinde& Carvalheiro, Luísa G.. 2013. Why Urban Citizens in Developing Countries Use Traditional Medicines : The Case of Suriname. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-490615
Modern Language Association (MLA)
van Andel, Tinde& Carvalheiro, Luísa G.. Why Urban Citizens in Developing Countries Use Traditional Medicines : The Case of Suriname. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-490615
American Medical Association (AMA)
van Andel, Tinde& Carvalheiro, Luísa G.. Why Urban Citizens in Developing Countries Use Traditional Medicines : The Case of Suriname. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-490615
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-490615