“Traditional Medicine carries the essence of blessing” – Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding utilization of Traditional Medicine (Sowa Rigpa) services among patients in selected districts in Bhutan: a mixed-methods study - 22/09/26
, D. Lhamo b , L. Lhapchu c , U. Dema c , K. Dorji d , D. Wangmo e , N. Wangchuk f , U. Chophel g , T. Dorji h, i, ⁎ Abstract |
Introduction |
In Bhutan, Traditional Medicine known as Sowa Rigpa , is provided free of cost through centres co-located in allopathic hospitals. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and utilization of Traditional Medicine services among patients in four selected hospitals in Bhutan.
Method |
This was a mixed-methods study with a quantitative (cross-sectional study with systematic random sampling) and qualitative (in-depth interviews with maximum variation sampling) in a concurrent triangulation design. Knowledge was assessed through 12 questions, each correct response scored 1. The total knowledge score was summed and categorized as ‘good’ (≥70%), ‘satisfactory’ (50 to <70%), and ‘poor’ (<50%).
Results |
Among 448 patients, 168 (37.5%) had utilized Traditional Medicine services within past one year: 83 had utilized both oral medicines and physical therapies, 54 had used only medicines, 30 had used only therapies. The majority of knew that Traditional Medicine can be used for treatment of chronic pain (264, 58.93%), headache (305, 68.08%) and abdominal pain (274, 61.16%). There were 101 (22.54%) with good knowledge, 188 (41.96%) with satisfactory knowledge and 159 (35.49%) with poor level of knowledge. Participants in age groups 25–44 years (adjusted OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.09–6.22, p = 0.030), 45–59 years (adjusted OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.17–9.23, p = 0.024), ≥60 years (adjusted OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.06–12.64, p = 0.039), those with Non-Formal Education (adjusted OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.73–10.97, p = 0.002) and those who were dependents (adjusted OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05–3.88, p = 0.036) had higher odds of good knowledge. The enablers for utilization of Traditional Medicine were belief in Sowa Rigpa , its spiritual linkage and cultural belief, safety of medicines, efficient service delivery and social influence. The barriers in utilization of Traditional Medicine were lack of awareness about services, lack of user-friendliness and lack of scientific basis of medicines.
Conclusion |
The utilization of Traditional Medicine was high and the overall attitudes towards Traditional Medicine were positive. However, patients lacked knowledge in key domains related to Traditional Medicine services and patient care. There were context-specific enablers and barriers to Traditional Medicine Utilization.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Evidence-based medicine, Health policy, Health services, Holistic health, Medication adherence, Spiritual therapy, Traditional medicine practitioners
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Vol 34
Article 101325- 2026 Retour au numéro
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