Prevalence on the use and acceptance of alternative therapies in Tequiquiapan Querétaro, Mexico

Abstract

Alternative therapies (TA), are outside the formal health system, they are used without any proper regulation, becoming a public health problem that affects the health-disease process. To know more about this phenomenon, the prevalence on the use and acceptance of alternative therapies has been investigated in specific sectors of the Mexican population using a questionnaire1. The study was performed in Tequisquiapan Queretaro, Mexico, It was found that approximately 65% of the sample population have used TA previously. Half of the participants who were sick had mixed treatments (allopath-TA), about 25% allopath treatment, 10% alternative, and the rest, without treatment. These data should call the attention of medical doctors. The results attributed to allopath therapy may actually be the result of the use of TA or a combination therapy. The main TA used by the population were: therapy juices, temazcal, herbs, vegetarism, urine therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy and hands imposition.