India's old healing art: alternative ways to the tobacco waiver discovered
India's old healing art: alternative ways to the tobacco waiver discovered
In India there are almost 267 million adult Tobacco consumers, and the number of those who stop smoking is slowly increasing. A large number of methods for quitting are known, such as consultations, nicotine substitute therapies, nicotine plaster or chewing gum, as well as prescription medication. Another possibility of smoking cessation could be the use of complementary and alternative medicine (Kam). This has a tradition in India, but so far there have been only a few studies that examine the extent to which it was used by tobacco users who try to quit smoking.
The present study analyzes the potential of Kam as a strategy for tobacco control in India. Data from two rounds of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (Gats 2009 and 2016) were evaluated. In particular, it was examined to the extent to which traditional medicine is used as a method for tooth cessation among smokers, users of smoke -free tobacco and users of both forms.
The results show that the general occurrence of the use of traditional medicine was the highest in the respondents from Gats-1 in double users (4%) and from Gats-2 highest in smokers (3%). In both surveys, the use of traditional medicine was more often found in men, residents of rural areas, people without education or with less education as well as in the eastern region of India.
future practices could change that came more into the tobacco cessation programs. To do this, however, the pharmacopöe must be standardized and clinical evidence must be created. A targeted educational work and the establishment of capacity for medical specialist staff is also required. There is also a need for research and cooperation between academic and industrial institutions in relation to traditional Indian medicine directions such as Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Ayush systems).
basic terms and concepts:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (Kam): refers to a group of diverse medical and health-related systems, procedures and products that are currently not regarded as part of conventional medicine.
- Gats (Global Adult Tobacco Survey): A representative survey that examines tobacco use in adults and its effects on health at global level.
- pharmakopöe: A officially recognized manual that contains standards for quality, purity, labeling and dosage of medication.
- ayush: A system that includes the traditional Indian medicine directions Ayurveda, Yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy.
abbreviations:
- came: complementary and alternative medicine
- gats: global adult Tobacco survey
- ayush: ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha, homeopathy
The role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in tobacco cessation in India
This study examines the potential role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a strategy for tobacco control in India. With almost 267 million adult tobacco consumers and a slowly increasing weaning rate, India faces major challenges. While conventional weaning approaches such as advice and nicotine replacement therapies are established, there is little research on the effectiveness of cam in this area.
Material and methods
The examination is based on a secondary analysis of data from both rounds of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2009 and 2016). The dependent variable in the analysis was the use of traditional medicine as a method for tooth cessation, assessed in three user categories: smokers, consumers smoke -free tobacco and mixed consumers. The prevalence of the CAM use was determined and the Chi square test was used to identify factors that are significantly associated with CAM use under tobacco consumers based on a level of significance of 0.05.
results
|
| ||
|---|---|---|
| smokers | n/a | 3% CAM use |
| smoke -free tobacco | n/a | n/a |
| mixed consumers | 4% CAM use | n/a |
The analysis showed that traditional medicine in Gats-1 was increasingly used in mixed consumers (4%), while it was most frequently used in Gats-2 for smokers (3%). In both rounds of survey, the use of traditional medicine was higher in men, in rural areas, in people without education or with less than primary school formation and in the eastern region.
conclusions
cam shows promising potential to support tobacco cessation efforts, provided that systematic measures are taken to standardize pharmacopöe and to establish robust clinical evidence. There is a need for increased awareness, capacity structure of health service providers and the promotion of academic-industrial research in the Ayush systems (Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha and homeopathy).
citation: Further details on the study can be found at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38425957 .
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