Assessment of Awareness and Usage of Siddha Medicine among the patients reporting to selected Siddha OPD in Puducherry and Karaikal region

Background: The present study was aimed at to assess the awareness about the usage of Siddha medicines among the patients reporting selected Siddha OPD units in Puducherry and Karaikal region. To assess the awareness and usage of Siddha medicine in selected population of Puducherry and Karaikal region. Methods: The aim of the survey is to assess the awareness and usage of Siddha medicines among the patients attending Siddha OPDs of Puducherry and Karaikal region. The survey is done as a questionnaire either they are aware of Siddha medicines and its usage or not. The questionnaire is framed under various criteria like awareness, palatability, preference, frequency of visits, quality, recommendations, etc. Results and Conclusion: The results of this survey has depicted that the patients attending Siddha OPD of Puducherry and Karaikal region have much awareness about Siddha medicines and its usage. From the above said report, it can be concluded that patients came to know about the Siddha Medical system mostly through oral references than advertisements. Necessary steps like Siddha awareness camps, advertisements, propagation of strength and various specialties of Siddha must be initiated to sensitize the public about Siddha system.