Traditional Medicine Use among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in KZN
Table 2
Clinical characterization and self-care activities among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (N = 340).
Total n (%)
Period of diagnosis (years) (n=340)
5–9
150 (44.12)
10–19
135 (39.71)
20–29
34 (10.00)
30–39
17 (5.00)
40–49
4 (1.18)
Family history of high blood glucose levels (HBGL) (n=338)
No
190 (56.21)
Yes
143 (42.31)
Don’t know
5 (1.48)
Treatment of HBGL (n=331)
Medication only
130 (39.27)
Diet only
6 (1.81)
Diet and medication
21 (6.34)
Diet and exercise
1 (0.30)
Diet, medication, and exercise
27 (8.16)
Insulin
16 (4.83)
Medication and insulin
95 (28.70)
Diet, exercise, medication, and insulin
32 (9.67)
Diet and insulin
3 (0.91)
Frequency of hospital visits for treatment (n=323)
Once a week
5 (1.55)
Twice a week
4 (1.24)
Once a month
213 (65.94)
Twice a month
5 (1.55)
Twice a year
67 (20.74)
Four times a year
2 (0.62)
Other
27 (8.36)
BGL checked at home (n = 323)
157 (48.61)
Traditional medicine use (n = 340)
92 (27.06)
HBGL = high blood glucose level. BGL = blood glucose level. Some participants have not responded to all the questions, which accounts for the varying numbers (n).
