Reasons of Customer Preference towards Allopathy versus Ayurvedic therapy


Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA) Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India-411007

Abstract

The purpose of this research article was to identify the reasons of choosing/preferring Allopathy and Ayurvedic medicines in India. Based on the perception about medication therapy, patients either have a choice to prefer allopathy or ayurvedic therapy. In an ultimate combination of allopathic and ayurvedic medication will be very much influenced and used by allopathic doctors. This research helps to know why patient prefer allopathy or ayurvedic therapy, whether demographic parameters affects the selection of medication therapy etc. For this research, the primary data were collected by using structured questionnaire, with sample of 1018 consumers. The findings revealed that 72.88% of the consumers preferred Allopathic medicines in comparison with Ayurvedic (27.11%). Gender wise males preferred Allopathy medication while females prefer ayurvedic medicines. Age-wise, 61% of the respondents who prefer the allopathic system belong to the 21-40yrs age group, while only 22% of respondents who belong to this Age group prefer Ayurvedic as medication therapy. As per as expenses are concerned, 41.06 percent of respondents have a monthly expense on medication of Rs. 1000-5000. Survey also reveals that post-graduated customers prefer Ayurvedic as medication therapy. Customer Prefer Allopathy Therapy because of convenient to hectic Lifestyle and Easily availability of allopathy medicine Customer Prefer Ayurvedic Therapy because of its cheap price followed by no side effect on the human body and inclusion of natural ingredients in ayurvedic medicine.

Keywords

Medicines, Allopathy therapy, Ayurvedic therapy

Introduction

Allopathy therapy is 100 years old and the most suitable medicine therapy (Raut, 2011). Allopathic therapy starting from Greek medicinal therapy consists of the relationship between cells, tissues and organs. Allopathic therapy focuses on diagnosis and treatment, a cure for severe illnesses via drugs, radiation, and surgery (Go & Champaneria, 2002). Allopathy therapy is the base of the major three steps: Hypothesis, experimentation and observation and, conclusion (Basisht, 2011). Allopathy follows unpleasant rather than self-protective therapy for building a healthy society (Tewari, 2009). Allopathy therapy works with advanced technology used for diagnostic procedures, sophisticated surgical procedures, drugs with specific actions, vaccines, transplants (Garodia, Ichikawa, Malani, Sethi, & Aggarwal, 2007). Allopathy therapy adjudicating the reason of illness and eradicate with the help of allopathy medicine (Basisht, 2011) . Allopathy therapy have a lot of benefits hence it is at the top of medicine therapy, but it has drawbacks like inefficacy in healing definite chronic illnesses and also inevitable unfavorable effects, which requires to be deal with critically to produce a competent and secure healthcare system (Basisht, 2011; Gadgil, 2010; Sharma, Sharma, & Kapoor, 2005; Sunil, Gupta, Singla, & Gupta, 2008). Advantages of allopathy therapy are it uses advanced technology, it defines suitable therapy by discovering and verifying the targets in disease initiation and progression, well-organized management of emergency conditions, helpful surgical management of the patient, recognizing specific microorganisms involved in picky diseases and giving specific targeted action.

Ayurveda therapy normally experienced a form of harmonizing and substitute therapy in India. Around 80% of Indians use Ayurvedic therapy (Verma, Sharma, Gupta, Gupta, & Kapoor, 2007). Ayurveda therapy intends to incorporate the balance between mind, body, spirit to avoid illness and endorse wellness. The efficacy of ayurvedic medicine was tested scientifically, just like allopathy therapy, yet it surrounds with plentiful practical harms (Ernst, 2007). Most customers think that Ayurvedic therapies are natural and thus secure, but this is a risky overview. One-fifth of Americans and Indians produced Ayurvedic medicines purchased using the Internet and it contains noticeable arsenic, lead, and mercury (Saper, 2008). Ayurvedic medications are connected with bad effects, which comprise links with arranged drugs. Current analysis reveals that fifteen percent of patients receiving allopathy therapy also consume ayurvedic products (Izzo & Ernst, 2009). The integrative medicine approach came with confidence that it provides a reasonable and rational explanation to the worldwide healthcare disaster, particularly in a rising nation like India. Department of AYUSH, planned a new approach of joining together Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha with Allopathic system to ensure health (Ayush, 2012). China has effectively integrated practices of old and new medicine. Medical students of China are necessarily opt for the courses of current and old medication therapy.

Hence, Chinese doctors are aware of both medication methods and are able to select the right mixture to create the finest utilization of both medicines (Bodeker, 2001). In the future combination of allopathic and ayurvedic medication will be very much influenced by allopathic doctors. Developed country’s medical students have consistently shown interest in CAM (Greiner, Murray, & Kallail, 2000; Münstedt, Harren, Georgi, & Hackethal, 2011) and medical colleges are alert of the need (Astin, Soeken, Sierpina, & Clarridge, 2006). But there was no research found to appraise knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of allopathic doctors toward Ayurvedic medicine regarding its utilization. The advantages of ayurvedic therapy are Safety, surety, availability, and cost-effective therapy.

Objectives of the study

To study the Reasons of Customer Preference towards Allopathy therapy and Ayurvedic therapy.

The hypothesis of the study

Hypothesis1

Gender, age, education of respondent are the major demographic parameters for the selection of medication therapy.

Hypothesis 2

Customer prefers allopathy therapy because of convenient to hectic lifestyle and easily availability of allopathy medicine.

Hypothesis 3

Customer prefers ayurvedic therapy because of its cheap price, followed by no side effect on the human body and inclusion of natural ingredients in ayurvedic medicine.

Research Methodology

It was descriptive research. The study comprises of several questions about their buying behavior towards medication system. The sample size for this study is 1018 customers. Primary data collection was conducted through an online survey. Online survey through Google doc was appropriate for this study as it reaches a large number of audience across the world (Neuman, 2004). It was the most cost-effective and time-saving method of primary data collection from the audience (Lokken et al., 2003). Respondents are not disclosed their identity while filling the questionnaire. The secrecy of respondents improves the reliability of data (Archer, 2003; Gunn, 2002; Ilieva, Baron, & Healey, 2002; Katole, 2011; Lee & Kent, 1999; Mehta & Sivadas, 1995; Parker, Schroeder, & Fairfield-Sonn, 2004). Data analysis covers descriptive statistics and for hypothesis testing, researchers use the chi-square test and multiple regression analysis.

Findings and discussion

Demography

Table 1: Sample Demographics

Parameter(s)

% ( = 1018)

Gender

Male

Female

57.26

42.73

Age (years)

Below 21 years

21-40

40-60

60 and above

11.68

83.69

03.83

00.78

Highest level of education

Below 12th standard

12th standard

Graduation

Post Graduation

00.68

06.09

49.01

44.20

Monthly expense on medication

(in INR)

Below 1000

1000-5000

5000-10000

10000 and above

46.07

41.06

08.64

04.22

Usage of Medication

Allopathy

Ayurvedic

72.88

27.11

Source: survey data

Table 1 explains that 83.69 percent of the respondents belonged to the 21-40 age group. This shows that the respondents are mature enough to take their own choices about the usage of the medication system. Data in Table 1 also shows that 49.01 percent of the respondents were graduate, while 44.20 percent of respondents had a post-graduation degree. For usage of medication, it was observed that 72.88 percent of respondent prefer allopathy medication and 27.11 percent of respondents prefer ayurvedic medicines. 41.06 percent of respondents have a monthly expense on medication of Rs. 1000-5000.

Data Analysis & Hypothesis testing

Data Analysis

The researcher analyzes the demographic data of respondents, which includes gender, age and education. Monthly expenditure on medication is another parameter analyzed by the researcher. The detailed analysis of demographic data versus the usage of medication therapy is given as follow,

Table 2: Gender versus Medication therapy preferred

Counts

Medication therapy preferred by Respondent

Total

Allopathy

Ayurveda

Gender of Respondent

Male

583

0

583

Female

159

276

435

Total

742

276

1018

From Table 2, the researcher observed that allopathy therapy preferred by male is 78.6% and females are 21%, whereas for ayurvedic therapy preferred by the female are 27% and males are 0%.

Table 3: Age versus Medication therapy preferred

Medication therapy preferred by Respondent

Total

Allopathy

Ayurveda

Age of respondent

Below 21years

119

0

119

21-40 years

623

229

852

40-60 years

0

39

39

Above 60 years

0

8

8

Total

742

276

1018

From Table 3, the researcher observed that for age group 21-40 years, 61% of respondents prefer allopathic therapy and 22% of respondents prefer ayurvedic therapy.

Table 4: Education versus Medication therapy preferred

Medication system preferred by Respondent

Total

Allopathy

Ayurveda

Education of respondent

Below 12th

7

0

7

12th

62

0

62

Graduation

499

0

499

Post-Graduation

174

276

450

Total

742

276

1018

From Table 4, the researcher observed that post-graduated prefers ayurvedic therapy. The data shows that 73% of respondent prefers allopathic therapy and 27% of respondents prefer ayurvedic therapy. In which 50% of the respondents who prefer allopathy are graduates. And 27% of the respondents who prefer ayurvedic medication are post-graduates.

Table 5: Monthly expenditure on medicines versus Medication therapy preferred

Medication therapy preferred by Respondent

Total

Allopathy

Ayurveda

Monthly Expenditure

on medicines (in INR)

Below 1000

469

0

469

1000-5000

273

145

418

5000-10000

0

88

88

Above 10000

0

43

43

Total

742

276

1018

From Table 5, the researcher observed that 46% of the respondents spend below INR1000 per month on allopathic medication. Respondents whose monthly expenditure on medication is INR 1000-5000 are mediocre and spends on both medication therapy. And the respondent whose monthly expenditure on medication is INR 5000-10000 and above INR 10000 prefers ayurvedic therapy.

Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis1 Gender, age, education of respondent are the major demographic parameters for the selection of medication therapy.

Table 6: Probability value of Demographic parameters and usage of medication therapy

Demographic parameters

P-value

Remark

Gender and usage of medication therapy

0.000

Association between gender and medication therapy.

The researcher observed that males preferred Allopathy medication, while females prefer ayurvedic medicines.

Age and usage of medication therapy

0.000

Association between age and medication therapy.

61% of the respondents who prefer the allopathic system belongs to the 21-40yrs age group, while only 22% of respondents who belong to this Age group prefer Ayurveda as medication therapy.

Education and usage of medication therapy

0.000

Association between education and medication therapy.

Survey also reveals that post-graduated customers prefer Ayurveda as medication therapy.

The researcher used the chi-square test to verify the hypothesis. According to the chi-square test and Table 6, the value of significance (i.e., P-value) for all three demographic parameters versus the usage of medication therapy is 0.000, which shows that the relationship between gender, age and education of respondent and medication system preferred by the respondent are strongly associated. Hence the researcher accepts the hypothesis and concludes that there is a significant association between gender, age, education of respondent and usage of medication therapy. Therefore the hypothesis, genders, age, education of respondents are the major demographic parameters for selection of medication therapy is accepted.

Hypothesis 2

Customer prefers allopathy therapy because of convenient to hectic lifestyle and easily availability of allopathy medicine.

The researcher used multiple regression analysis to verify the hypothesis. The general multiple regression equation is,

Y =

a + b 1 x 1 + b 2 x 2 + b 3 x 3 + b 4 x 4

Where,

Y= Monthly Expenditure on medicines on allopathy therapy

a= constant

X1= Provides Instant Relief

X2= Easily available

X3= Widely Accepted therapy

x4= Convenient due to hectic lifestyle

Table 7: Regression analysis for allopathy therapy

Model

Unstandardized Coefficients

Standardized Coefficients

t

Sig

B

Std. Error

Beta

(Constant)

.438

.037

11.890

.000

Provides Instant Relief

-4.896

.174

.000

.000

1.000

Easily available

-.278

.146

-.361

-1.906

.057

Widely Accepted therapy

-4.190

.191

.000

.000

1.000

Convenient due to hectic lifestyle

.920

.166

1.167

5.551

.000

a.Dependent Variable: Monthly Expenditure on medicines on allopathy therapy

From the above Table 7, multiple regression equation is as follow,

Y =

0 . 438 - 4 . 896 x 1 - 0 . 278 x 2 - 4 . 190 x 3 + 0 . 920 x 4

As the significance value of X1 and X3 is more than 0.05, hence researcher rejects those parameters. Hence the new regression equation is as follow,

Y =

0 . 438 - 4 . 896 x 1 - 0 . 278 x 2 - 4 . 190 x 3 + 0 . 920 x 4

Hence from the above equation, researcher infer that monthly expenditure on medication on allopathy therapy mainly because of easily availability of allopathy medicines(x2) and allopathy therapy is more convenient due to hectic lifestyle(x4).

Hypothesis 3- Customer prefers ayurvedic therapy because of its cheap price, followed by no side effect on the human body and inclusion of natural ingredients in ayurvedic medicine.

The researcher uses multiple regression analysis to test this. The general multiple regression equation is,

Y =

0 . 436 + 0 . 511 x 1 - 0 . 40 + 0 . 671 x 3 x 2 + 0 . 324 x 4

Where,

Y= Monthly Expenditure on medicines on ayurvedic therapy

a= constant

X1= No side effects

X2= Traditionally excepted

X3= Cheap prices

x4= Natural ingredient based medicine

Table 8: Regression analysis for ayurvedic therapy

Model

Unstandardized Coefficients

Standardized Coefficients

t

Sig.

B

Std. Error

Beta

(Constant)

-.436

.054

-8.097

.000

No side effects

.511

.147

.291

3.482

.001

Traditionally accepted

-.040

.049

-.035

-.801

.424

Cheap prices

.671

.038

.611

17.459

.000

Natural ingredient based medicine

.324

.135

.199

2.399

.017

a.Dependent Variable: Monthly Expenditure on medicines onayurvedic therapy

From the above Table 8, multiple regression equation is as follow,

Y =

- 0 . 436 + 0 . 511 x - 0 . 40 + 0 . 671 x 3 x 2 + 0 . 324 x 4

As the significance value of X2 is more than 0.05, hence researcher rejects X2 i.e., traditionally accepted as ayurvedic therapy parameter. Hence the new regression equation is as follow,

Y =

- 0 . 436 + 0 . 511 x 1 + 0 . 671 x 3 + 0 . 324 x 4

Hence from the above equation, researcher infer that monthly expenditure on medication on ayurvedic therapy mainly because of the parameters like no side effects of ayurvedic medicine (x1), cheap prices of ayurvedic medicine (x3) and natural ingredient based in ayurvedic medicine (x4).

Hence the researcher concludes that customer prefers ayurvedic therapy because of its cheap price followed by no side effect on the human body and inclusion of natural ingredients in ayurvedic medicine.

Conclusions

Allopathy and ayurvedic therapies are most preferred by patients which protecting and refreshing health. Patients have the choice to either prefer allopathy or ayurvedic therapy or combination. After consultation with their friends, relatives they decide for appropriate therapy. Hence it is necessary to understand why patients prefer allopathy or ayurvedic therapy? This research article identifies the reasons of choice made by patients towards ayurvedic and allopathy therapy. Customer Prefer Allopathy Therapy because of convenient to hectic Lifestyle and Easily availability of allopathy medicine. Customer Prefer Ayurvedic Therapy because of its cheap price, followed by no side effect on the human body and inclusion of natural ingredients in ayurvedic medicine.