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Table 3 Participants’ patronage, knowledge, preference, experience and attitudes towards traditional medicine practice and its integration into formal the health system

From: The practice of integrated healthcare and the experiences of people in Ghana’s Ashanti region

Variables/Questions

Yes

No

 

n

%

n

%

Patronage of TM

 Have you ever used TM? (By TM, I mean the use of plant seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, flowers for medicinal purposes)

307

95.0

16

5.0

 Do you seek health advice from TM practitioners?

183

59.6

124

40.4

 Do you ask your physician about TM when you want to use them?

15

5.0

292

95.0

 Do you ask the pharmacist about TM when you want to use them?

12

3.9

295

96.1

Knowledge about TM integration

 Do you have knowledge about the incorporation of TM into health system?

214

66.2

109

33.8

 Is there a license for TM practice in Ghana health system?

205

95.8

9

4.2

 Are there laws to regulate TM in Ghana?

205

95.8

9

4.2

 Are you aware of the introduction of TM directorate in some hospitals in Ghana/Ashanti region?

99

46.3

115

53.7

Attitude towards safety of TM practice

 Should TM container have a warning of possible side effects and interaction with other medications?

323

100.0

0

0.0

 Should TM container have a clear note if the medicine is approved by FDA as a safe medication?

322

99.7

1

0.3

 Should TM container be labelled with the name of active ingredients, required dose and instruction on when to use?

321

99.4

2

0.6

 Should TM container be labelled with the expiry date?

321

99.4

2

0.6

 Should TM container have a license and registration number?

320

99.1

3

0.9

 Does the production and selling of TM products need to be regulated by Ministry of Health?

317

98.1

6

1.9

 Should TM practitioner be certified from the Ministry of Health?

316

97.8

7

2.2

 Should TM practitioner have a degree in this profession?

270

83.6

53

16.4

 Do you think the pharmacist can give useful advice to you if you want to use TM?

209

64.7

114

35.3

Preference for TM integration

 Do you prefer TM integration into the formal health system?

314

97.2

9

2.8

 Do you want your physician to follow up when you are using TM to avoid any side effect?

312

96.6

11

3.4

 Do you want your physician to give you advice about safe use of TM?

260

80.5

63

19.5

 Do you think a physician can monitor your health better if he/she knows the kind of TM you are using and who prescribed it?

256

79.3

67

20.7

 Would integrating TM practice into health system make you feel safer to use TM?

249

77.1

74

22.9

Engagement with the integrated health system

 Have you ever been referred by a medical doctor to a TM practitioner?

23

7.1

300

92.9

 Have TM ever been prescribed for you at the hospital/clinic by a medical doctor?

10

3.1

313

96.9

 Have you ever been referred by a TM practitioner to a medical doctor/hospital/clinic?

7

2.2

316

97.8

 Have orthodox medicines ever been prescribed for you by a TM practitioner?

4

1.24

319

98.8