Research Article
Concurrent Use of Herbal and Orthodox Medicines among Residents of Tamale, Northern Ghana, Who Patronize Hospitals and Herbal Clinics
Table 3
Participants’ first choice of medicines when sick and the reasons for the choices.
| | Variable | Subgroups | Hospital attendee | Herbal clinic attendee | | Frequency | Percentage | Frequency | Percentage |
| | First medication choice when sick | Orthodox | 65 | 54.2 | 59 | 49.2 | | Herbal | 42 | 35.0 | 42 | 35.0 | | Uncertain | 13 | 10.8 | 19 | 15.8 |
| | Reasons for choosing orthodox medicine first ( Hosp. = 68; herb = 65) | Accessible | 5 | 7.4 | 12 | 18.5 | | Clear dosage | 10 | 14.7 | 9 | 13.8 | | Well studied and approved | 15 | 22.1 | 8 | 12.3 | | More effective | 19 | 27.9 | 4 | 6.2 | | Condition requires medical care | 4 | 5.9 | NA | NA | | Safer | 7 | 10.3 | 6 | 9.2 | | More confidence in OM | 3 | 4.4 | NA | NA | | Recommended | 2 | 2.9 | NA | NA | | Others | 3 | 4.4 | 5 | 7.7 | | Cures faster | NA | NA | 10 | 15.4 | | Easy and convenient | NA | NA | 3 | 4.6 | | Personal preference | NA | NA | 2 | 3.1 | | Prepared hygienically | NA | NA | 4 | 6.2 | | Variety of forms | NA | NA | 2 | 3.1 |
| | Reasons for choosing herbal medicine first ( hosp. = 66; herb = 68) | Accessibility | 4 | 6.1 | 3 | 4.4 | | Affordability | 6 | 9.1 | 7 | 10.3 | | Heritage | 6 | 9.1 | NA | NA | | More effective | 19 | 28.8 | 15 | 22.1 | | No or lesser side effects | 6 | 9.1 | 9 | 13.2 | | OM is unable to manage all diseases | 2 | 3.0 | | | | Cures completely | 7 | 10.6 | 9 | 13.2 | | Cures faster | 10 | 15.2 | 9 | 13.2 | | Natural | 2 | 3.0 | 5 | 7.4 | | Less complicated | NA | NA | 2 | 2.9 | | Personally like herbal medicines | NA | NA | 4 | 5.9 | | Others | 4 | 6.1 | 5 | 7.4 |
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NB. Herb = respondents from the herbal clinics, hosp. = respondents from the hospitals, and NA = not applicable. |
