Fred Stephen Sarfo1, Bruce Ovbiagele2. 1. Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Electronic address: stephensarfo78@gmail.com. 2. Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Herbal medicines are not regulated by regulatory authorities and are often not of proven safety and efficacy. Anecdotal reports suggest widespread use of traditional herbal medicine (THM) for treatment of stroke in Africa, but verifiable data are limited in published literature. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and reasons for THM use among Ghanaian stroke survivors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 106 consecutive stroke survivors presenting for care at a tertiary medical center in Kumasi, Ghana between June and October 2020. Information on demographic, clinical, vascular risk factors and use of THM were collected in a non-judgmental manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the cohort, 46 (43.4%) reported use of any THM for their stroke management. There was a trend towards fewer women who reported use of THM 34.8% vs 53.3%, p = 0.06. Of those reporting use of THM, 78% had blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg vs. 56% among those not exposed to THM (p = 0.02). Top reasons proffered for use of THM were: expecting them to aid faster recovery from stroke (n = 30), expecting them to cure stroke (n = 18), and expecting them to be of superior effectiveness compared to approved conventional medications of proven efficacy/safety (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Almost half the individuals in this contemporary sample of Ghanaian stroke survivors reported use of THM with expectations for improved outcomes. More counseling is required to inform patients about potential safety issues with THM use, and more research is needed to explore risk/benefit of promising THMs to improve stroke outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Herbal medicines are not regulated by regulatory authorities and are often not of proven safety and efficacy. Anecdotal reports suggest widespread use of traditional herbal medicine (THM) for treatment of stroke in Africa, but verifiable data are limited in published literature. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and reasons for THM use among Ghanaian stroke survivors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 106 consecutive stroke survivors presenting for care at a tertiary medical center in Kumasi, Ghana between June and October 2020. Information on demographic, clinical, vascular risk factors and use of THM were collected in a non-judgmental manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the cohort, 46 (43.4%) reported use of any THM for their stroke management. There was a trend towards fewer women who reported use of THM 34.8% vs 53.3%, p = 0.06. Of those reporting use of THM, 78% had blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg vs. 56% among those not exposed to THM (p = 0.02). Top reasons proffered for use of THM were: expecting them to aid faster recovery from stroke (n = 30), expecting them to cure stroke (n = 18), and expecting them to be of superior effectiveness compared to approved conventional medications of proven efficacy/safety (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Almost half the individuals in this contemporary sample of Ghanaian stroke survivors reported use of THM with expectations for improved outcomes. More counseling is required to inform patients about potential safety issues with THM use, and more research is needed to explore risk/benefit of promising THMs to improve stroke outcomes.
Authors: Anthony C Liwa; Luke R Smart; Amara Frumkin; Helen-Ann B Epstein; Daniel W Fitzgerald; Robert N Peck Journal: Curr Hypertens Rep Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 5.369
Authors: Nyashadzashe Bepe; Nathan Madanhi; Tinashe Mudzviti; Samuel Gavi; Charles C Maponga; Gene D Morse Journal: J Infect Dev Ctries Date: 2011-02-01 Impact factor: 0.968