Prevalence of Use of Unsafe Dietary Supplements and Drug among Muslim Elderlies with Diabetes in Bannang Sata District, Yala

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of the use of unsafe dietary supplements and drugs (DSD) among elderly Muslims with diabetes in Bannang Sata District, Yala. Method: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive research. Subjects were 146 elderly Muslims patients aged 60 years and over who had diabetes and registered for treatment at Bannang Sata Hospital and the network of sub-district health promotion hospital (SDHPH) in Bannang Sata district. Subjects were conveniently selected from those who received the service. Researchers and research assistants interviewed every sample who visited the hospital or SDHPH to identify those using DSD together with drugs received from the hospital or SDHPH. Subsequently, the researcher visited the home and interview subjects with the use of DSD in combination with drugs received from the health facilities. Results: 19.9 percent of subjects used other health products in conjunction with drugs from health facilities. The product included “Ya-chud” (2.05% of subjects) self-medicated by the subjects themselves to ease the pain and sprain from work; steroid adulterated products (0.68% of subjects); health products with no registration numbers (4.11% of subjects); and herbal products or herb containing products (13.01% of subjects). 48.28% of subjects believed that DSD they were using could reduce sugar levels. 42.31% of subjects received the information on DSD from friends. 72.41% of the subjects would continue using DSD other than those received from the hospital. 71.9% of the subjects believed recommendation on DSD from medical personnel. Conclusion: Elderly Muslim patients with diabetes In Bannang Sata District should receive advice on the use of unsafe DSD. Health personnel should inquire about the history of using DSD in very visit to health facilities. The problems on the use of unsafe DSD among Muslim diabetic patients should be addressed with the cooperation of religious leaders to bring the dimension of religion and health according to religious teaching to improve consumption behavior of health products.