Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-018-0648-2 RESEARCH ARTICLE Herbal medicine use among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Nigeria: understanding the magnitude and predictors of use Ogochukwu Ukamaka Amaeze 1  · Roseline Iberi Aderemi‑Williams 1  · Modupeola Anuoluwapo Ayo‑Vaughan 1  · Deborah Aderoju Ogundemuren 1  · Damilola Segun Ogunmola 1  · Emmanuel Nwanolue Anyika 1 Received: 11 July 2017 / Accepted: 27 April 2018 © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract Background Patients with chronic diseases exploit complementary and alternative treatment options to manage their condi- tions better and improve well-being. Objective To determine the prevalence and predictors of herbal medicine use among Type 2 Diabetes patients in Lagos, Nigeria. Setting Secondary healthcare facilities in Lagos state, Nigeria. Method The study design was a cross sectional survey. A two-stage sampling approach was used to select the health facilities and patients were recruited consecutively to attain the sample size. Data was collected using a structured and standardized interviewer- administered questionnaire. Characteristics, prevalence and predictors of herbal medicine use were assessed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses. Main outcome measure Herbal medicine use among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Results 453 patients were surveyed, 305 (67.3%) reported herbal medicine use, among whom 108 (35.4%) used herbal and conventional medicines concurrently; 206 (67.5%) did not disclose use to their physician. Herbal medicine use was significantly associated with age (p = 0.045), educational level (p = 0.044), occupation (p = 0.013), duration of diabetes disease (p = 0.007), mode of diabetes management (p = 0.02), a positive history of diabetes (p = 0.011) and presence of diabe- tes complication (p = 0.033). Formulations or whole herbs of Vernonia amygdalina, Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum, Picralima nitida, and herbal mixtures were the commonest herbal medicine. Beliefs and perceptions about herbal medicine varied between the users and non-users. Conclusion The use of herbal medicine among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Lagos, Nigeria is high. There is dire need for health care practitioners to frequently probe patients for herbal medicine use and be aware of their health behaviour and choices, with a view to manage the disease better. Keywords Diabetes mellitus · Herbal medicines · Herbal medicines use · Nigeria · Predictors · Prevalence Impacts on practice • Health care providers should make concerted efforts to identify herbal medicine use by patients in order to pre- vent potential adverse herb–drug interactions. • Herbal medicine effects and safety should be significantly incorporated in continuing education for clinical pharma- cists so that they can confidently engage diabetic patients on such issues. • Clinical pharmacists should include herbal medicines and their effects in patient education and counselling. Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes significantly to the high mortality from non-communicable diseases worldwide [1]. Currently, about 6.4% of the global population have DM and this figure is expected to rise significantly by 2040. DM is an existential threat to the health of African populations with 14.2 million adults living with diabetes and estimated to double by 2040. Nigeria recorded 1.6 million cases of dia- betes in 2015 making her the third highest ranking country for diabetic patients in Africa [2]. T2DM represents approximately 90–95% of all the three main types of diabetes—Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Ges- tational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), [ 3]. T2DM results from the interplay of hereditary, environmental and life- style factors, and it is associated with various micro- and * Ogochukwu Ukamaka Amaeze oamaeze@unilag.edu.ng 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria