Abstract
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)
Atopic conditions are IgE mediated hypersensitivity reactions. They include allergic
rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma. These conditions can be chronic and have a
negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. Due to the long duration of the disease
and the irritation caused by the disease, patients do seek out alternative or
complementary medicines due to frustration with conventional medicine and the
perceived adverse effects caused by long term use of conventional medicine.
Complementary medicine (CM) is a broad term that includes a set of health care
practices and modalities that are not part of that country's primary health care system
(WHO, 2016). In a South African study it was found that more than half of the
participants (that included general practitioners, specialists and dieticians) indicated
that their patients were using CMs before seeking conventional care (Stear, 2011).
The aim of this study was to determine the use and perceptions of CM by users with
atopic conditions in the Pretoria East area by means of a survey.
A total of 122 questionnaires were collected from four Wellness Warehouse shops in
Pretoria East and analysed by means of percentages and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
The results obtained from this study was in line with local studies by Du Plessis (2013)
and Snyman (2013) who also found the typical complementary medicine user to be
female, between the ages of 20-30 years with a high level of education.
The reasons for using CMs included that users perceived CMs to reduce flare ups of
their atopic condition, it gives them a sense of feeling healthy, it fits into their way of
life and it gives them a sense of control over their medical choices. Most of the
participants had not previously visited a registered CM practitioner and reported that
they received their health-related information from a consultant at a health shop, the
internet, a CM practitioner or from friends. The common view among CM users was
also that CMs are safer than conventional medications, just as effective as
conventional medicine and have fewer side effects.