The use of complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients in Marrakech during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Moroccan population has used medicinal plants from ancient times and has an important role in traditional healing practices. Patients use CAM for different purposes and due to several factors, such as low economic and financial income and/or cultural and religious beliefs. However, proof of efficacy and safety of the vast majority of traditional and herbal medicine have not been fully established through an evidence-based approach. During the current Covid 19 pandemic, the long-term implementation of national emergency and lockdown measures resulted in difficulties accessing healthcare services. Therefore, cancer patients at the Hematology and Oncology Hospital of Marrakech showed an increased interest in using traditional herbal medicine. The present study attempts to determine the prevalence and the aim of using each method of CAM by cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic in Marrakech.