A Cross-Sectional Study of the Attitudes and Perceptions towards BiologicallyBased Therapies in the United Arab Emirates

Nawsheen Torabally¹, Hananeh Abdolrahman Rahmanpoor*^1,2 and Elhadi N Mahmoud¹

Received: November 19, 2018;   Published: December 03, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.11.002136

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Abstract

Biologically-Based Therapies (BBTs) are a subset of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Therapies that fall into four main categories; diet therapy, herbal therapy, orthomolecular therapy and chelation therapy. BBTs are universally assumed to be safe and are widely used for the prevention and treatment of diseases via the use of nutrition, vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, and chelating agents. A cross-sectional survey was carried out by Ajman University students on residents of the United Arab Emirates as to assess their knowledge and use of BBTs. This study aimed at determining whether healthcare providers were aware of their patient’s use of BBTs and their safety profiles. Most respondents used BBTs, many of them lacked vital health information. Out of the respondents, 76% used herbal or other dietary supplements and 49% do not discus this with their healthcare providers. There is a significant amount of consumption coupled with insufficient awareness of BBTs in the UAE. Additionally, there is a lack of communication with healthcare providers and consumers of BBTs. As a result, consumers may potentially face inadvertent health complications depending on diet and other medications that are simultaneously being consumed.

Keywords : Biologically-Based Therapies (BBTs); Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM); Knowledge; Attitude; Perception; Practices; Survey Questionnaire; Public Health