Introduction:

older adults are considered at risk due to the different vulnerabilities associated with senescence, therefore the application of Natural and Traditional Medicine procedures are recommended to assure a better quality of life.

Objective:

to characterize the level of knowledge and application of Natural and Traditional Medicine in older adults.

Methods:

an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of older adults belonging to Manuel Gonzalez Diaz Teaching Polyclinic in Bahía Honda municipality, Artemisa province, during September to October 2020. The target group comprised 150 older adults, working with the totality. The information was collected from a survey. Descriptive statistics was applied.

Results:

the age group 60 to 69 years (35,33 %) and female sex (56,67 %) predominated. The 95,33 % (N=143) reported having knowledge regarding the application of Natural and Traditional Medicine, who considered these therapeutic procedures as useful and effective and recognized their application. Out of them, the 100% reported knowing and applying phytotherapy as a therapeutic procedure. Recommendations from family and friends were the most representative means of acquiring knowledge in relation to the application of Natural and Traditional Medicine (76,92 %).

Conclusions:

the level of knowledge and application of Natural and Traditional Medicine in the studied older adults was high. It is necessary to increase in variety the application of therapeutic procedures of Natural and Traditional Medicine and to promote the role of healthcare professionals as disseminators of its usefulness.

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