Table 3 Reasons for HDS use from both quantitative and qualitative studies at baseline
Quantitative results (n = 166) | Qualitative results (n = 16) | |
|---|---|---|
Question | Frequency (%) | Â |
Reasons why HDS used (n = 271)* | ||
 Family/friend’s recommendation | 95 (35) | Influenced by their social network who were health care professionals or teachers (n = 9) |
 HDS will work | 65 (24) | Perception of their benefits |
 Willing to try anything that helps | 53 (20) | (n = 11) |
 Prefer to use HDS | 26 (10) | Health care needs (n = 7) |
Willing to try (n = 4) | ||
Intention to use (n = 2) | ||
 Health care provider’s recommendation | 17 (6) | No mention |
 Safer than CM or no adverse effects from using HDS, compared with CM | 8 (3) | Perception of their safety (n = 5) |
Their characteristics | ||
No or little side effects | ||
Safer than CM | ||
Had experiences or concerns about adverse effects of CM (n = 2) | ||
 Easy access | 4 (2) | No mention |
 Recommended by traditional practitioners or HDS sellers | 2 (< 1) | Their family recommended and then consulting Chinese herbal medicine practitioners (n = 1) |
 Recommended by fellow patients | 1 (< 1) | Influenced by their social network (n = 9) |
Information sources (n = 188)* | ||
 Family and friends | 100 (53) | Influenced by their social network (n = 9) |
 TV, radio, internet, leaflets, books or scientific evidence | 59 (31) | Influenced by the media (n = 9) |
 Practitioners | 18 (10) | No mention |
 HDS sellers | 6 (3) | No mention |
 Own knowledge of HDS | 4 (2) | No mention |
 Another patient with CKD | 1 (1) | No mention |