Concurrent Use of Herbal and Orthodox Medicines among Residents of Tamale, Northern Ghana, Who Patronize Hospitals and Herbal Clinics
Table 4
Sociodemographic predictors of concurrent usage of orthodox and herbal medicines.
Variable
Subgroup
Have you ever used herbal and orthodox medicines concurrently?
% of concurrent users of HM and OM
value
Crude odd ratio (95% CI)
Yes
No
Total number
Sex
Female
23
98
121
19.0
0.925
1.033 (0.531–2.008)
20
88
108
18.5
Age
<30
29
87
116
25.0
2.381 (1.183–4.793)
>3
14
100
114
12.3
Religion
Christianity
13
67
80
16.3
0.46
0.763 (0.373–1.563)
29
116
145
20.0
Location
21
96
117
17.9
0.768
1.105 (0.569–2.145)
Rural
22
91
113
19.5
Marital status
Singl
20
70
90
22.2
Currently married
20
84
104
19.2
0.082
0.259 (0.057–1.185)
Ever been married
2
27
29
6.9
0.608
0.833 (0.415–1.672)
Educational status
No formal education
8
61
69
11.6
0.390
0.656 (0250–1.718)
Basic
3
21
24
12.5
0.628
0.714 (0.183–2.781)
Secondary
12
38
50
24.0
0.318
1.579 (0.644–3.374)
12
60
72
16.7
Employment
23
76
99
23.2
Self-employed
15
69
84
17.9
0.373
0.718 (0.347–1487)
Employed
5
41
46
10.9
0.086
0.403 (0.143–1.139)
Income status
Low
35
153
185
18.6
Middle to high income
8
32
40
20.0
0.839
1.093 (0.464–2.576)
Place of seeking health
23
89
112
20.5
Herbal clinic
20
98
118
16.9
0.486
0.790 (0.406–1.535)
Ref: reference variable, tatistically significant, and nemployed, students, housewives, and retirees were grouped as unemployed, while private and public sector workers were considered as employed.