Patterns of belief and use of traditional remedies by diabetic patients in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

A sample of 1039 diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia was interviewed using a structured questionnaire about belief in traditional herbal remedies. The relationship of belief scores to sociodemographic and diabetes-related variables was assessed using chi-square tests. The study showed that 15.6% of the sample believed that traditional medicines were safe and effective and 25.8% that they might be beneficial. One-third of patients were using traditional remedies. A statistically significant relationship was shown between belief in traditional medicines and variables such as female sex, positive family history of diabetes, duration of diabetes and compliance with diet. However, there was no relationship with other compliance variables or with glucose and weight control. Efforts should be made to enhance diabetic education among patients on the basis of evidence-based practice.