**6. Economic factors affecting the use of TCAM**

Although social, medical, and cultural reasons account for why people in any given country prefer TCAM to conventional medicines, economic factors play a vital role in influencing TCAM use. The cost of TCAM, which is much cheaper than the cost of accessing conventional medical services, is the primary factor. Others include choosing a trusted traditional healer in whom much confidence is reposed, ease of access, and convenience. The poor are more likely to use TCAM, although people with high income are also likely to use TCAM for different reasons [48]. The method of payment is flexible, often on credit, in exchange for labor or contingent on outcome.
