Najmabadi Shahandokht , Marzieh Nojomi , Maziar Moradilakeh, Hassan Shojaie Baghini,
Volume 13, Issue 5 (7-2014)
Abstract
Background: The increasing prevalence of Diabetes mellitus as a chronic disease, and as a manageable disease with medical nutrition therapy, needs to consider and determine the self-care diet therapy The aims of this study to determine the prevalence of self-medication, self control in diet therapy and use of medicinal herbs, for diabetes control.
Methods: 502 Diabetic Patients were selected randomly in this descriptive, cross sectional study, from 4 diabetic clinics from urban Primary health care Center, and diabetic clinic in Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute. Data were collected via face to face structured interview of respondents by Dietitian experts, in the clinics using a developed and piloted questionnaire.
Results: 83.8% respondents were Type 2 Diabetics patients, 70.3% were controlled using oral medicines and diet therapy, and herbal medicine .The more common herbal medicine use for diabetes control were Cinnamomum zeylanicum(Cinnamon) 34.1%, Tigonella foenum graecum 13.7%, Allium sativum 28.6%, Anethum graveolens 28.8%, Zingiber officinal 17.8% .There was significant association between education level, age, and morbidly of other chronic diseases and self herb medication.
Conclusion: Use of nutritional herbs, effective in reduction blood sugar and lipids profile were most common self herbal medication in diabetic patients. Which are The prevalence of self-medication with carbohydrates limited diet and herbal medication, were the most diabetes control methods in the respondents patients in this survey.