Complementary and alternative medicine use among Mauritian women

Abstract

Objective: To assess CAM usage among women in Mauritius.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey with a nationally-representative sample (n = 384). Quantitative indices included informant-consensus factor, use-value, fidelity-value and use-mentions were calculated.

Results: Thirteen therapies were identified and currently are used to treat or manage 26 ailments. These were phytotherapy (30%); yoga (13%); deep-breathing (12%); massage therapy (11%); ayurvedic medicine (8%); meditation (6%); zootherapy (6%); homeopathy (5%); exercise (3%) and reiki (3%). The most prevalent CAM was phytotherapy. Based on the quantitative ethnobotanical indices, plants commonly used were Acalphya spp., (Copper leaf), Curcuma longa (Tumeric), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass), Erythroxylum hypericifolium (Bois ronde), Lens culinaris (Lentil) and Mentha piperita (Mentha). Interestingly, the present study is the first attempt to record CAM management of women's health in Mauritius.

Conclusions: This study can be considered as a primary information resource recording the current use of CAM by women in Mauritius.