Knowledge of Diabetes and its Herbal Treatment among Patients with Diabetes and Herbalists Living in Baringo County-Kenya

Context: The use of herbal medication in Baringo County-Kenya in managing ailments, especially chronic ones, is very common. Such chronic ailments include cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. This use is even though there is little information on whether the prescribers (herbalists) and those using the herbs (patients with diabetes) understand what generally diabetes mellitus is, its signs and symptoms, the sources of their herbs, and also the side effects of the herbs they are using. Aim: The investigation aims to determine the knowledge of herbalists and patients with diabetes about diabetes mellitus disease and its herbal treatment. Methods: The study was conducted in Baringo County, Kenya, known for using herbal medication. A prevalence study design was utilized. The sample size included thirty-nine (39) patients with diabetes and twelve (12) herbalists. The data collection instruments were an investigator-directed questionnaire and a face-to-face interview study guide for patients with diabetes and herbalists. Results: One-third (33% [4/12]) of the herbalists define diabetes mellitus as high and low blood sugar, while a few 16.7% (2/12) see it as 'blood sugar instability.' More than three-quarters of the diabetic patients (77% [30/39]) described diabetes as a disease with no cure, and slightly more than half (54% [21/39]) testified that hospital treatment of diabetes was exorbitant. According to patients with diabetes mellitus, xerostomia (69.2%), recurrent micturition (56.4%), and polyphagia (51.3%) were the major signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus, while according to herbalists, asthenia (66.67% [8/12]), polydipsia (33.30% [4/12]), and chronic wounds (25% [3/12]). Only one (8% [1/39]) patient with diabetes reported using herbal medications alone, while the rest used in combination with other conventional drugs (medicines prescribed in health care settings). More than half (51% [20/39]) of patients diagnosed with diabetes used their herbal medications with metformin. Most (66.7% [8/12]) herbalists prescribe their herbs alone. Regarding the side effects of the herbs, patients with diabetes reported pruritus (46% [18/39]), and nausea (23% [9/39]), while a few herbalists (16.7% [2/12]) reported nausea, decreased desire for food, and stomach upset. The other herbalists (83.33% [10/12]) said they have not yet received any complaints or side effects from their clients (patients with diabetes). For most of the patients with diabetes, their index information on herbal medicine use was from their family members, acquaintances, and work colleagues (85% [33/39]). Patients with diabetes obtained their medications directly from the woodlands surrounding their homes (bush) (76.92%) and herbal clinics (69.23% [27/39]). At the same time, herbalists got their medications from either their kitchen garden (25% [3/12]), or a woodland surrounding areas of operation (bush) (75% [9/12]).