Table 4 Reasons why patients decided to use or stop using HDS at the end point (n = 357)
Reasons | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
Continuing to use HDS (n = 123) | |
 Gaining benefit from using HDS | 73 (59) |
 Expecting to gain benefit | 32 (26) |
 To supplement their diet | 8 (6) |
 Their family members or friends provided HDS | 6 (5) |
 Recommended by their doctor | 2 (2) |
 Used to take it | 1 (1) |
 HDS is safe | 1 (1) |
Stopping HDS use (n = 43) | |
 Recommended by their doctor | 10 (23) |
 Having adverse effects from using HDS | 8 (19) |
 Their minor ailments relieved | 8 (19) |
 Do not want to use | 5 (11) |
 Experience with no benefit from using HDS | 3 (7) |
 Concern about adverse effects on kidneys | 3 (7) |
 Cannot afford or not available | 3 (7) |
 Receiving dialysis or their disease worsened | 2 (5) |
 Taking high numbers of conventional medicines | 1 (2) |
Starting to use HDS (n = 17) | |
 Expecting to gain benefit | 11 (65) |
 Their family members or friends provided HDS | 3 (18) |
 Their disease worsened | 1 (6) |
 No reason given | 2 (12) |