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Table 3 Characteristics of traditional herbal medicine (THM) use among older women with non-communicable diseases (n=55)

From: Health-seeking behaviours of older black women living with non-communicable diseases in an urban township in South Africa

Variable

Number (%)

Reason for use:

 Family history

26 (47.3)

 Cultural beliefs

12 (21.8)

 Low cost

9 (16.4)

 Easily accessible

7 (12.7)

 Positive recommendation

19 (34.5)

 Conventional medicine failure

0 (0.0)

 Cures diseases

3 (5.5)

 Treats side effects

3 (5.5)

 Doctor recommended

1 (1.8)

 Treat a condition

25 (45.5)

THM obtained:

 Market

24 (43.6)

 Traditional practitioner

9 (16.4)

 Personal harvest

11 (20.0)

 Pharmacy

11 (20.0)

 Over the counter

3 (5.5)

THM Administration:

 Tea

44 (80.0)

 Decoction

4 (7.3)

 Powder

4 (7.3)

 Extract

8 (14.5)

 Tablet

1 (1.8)

 Topical

1 (1.8)

Discloses use of conventional medicine to traditional practitioner

6 (10.9)

Discloses use of THM to health care practitioner

7 (12.7)

Uses THM ‘often’ or ‘always’

23 (41.8)

Uses THM in combination with conventional medicine (medical pluralism)

29 (52.7)