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Category: Volume 07 Issue 02 February 2019
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Title: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Patients Attending a Family Medicine Clinic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors: Alaa Ali Alarbash, Dr Sarah Abdul Rahman Morait, Dr Enas Assad Demyati

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i2.123

Abstract

Background: Traditional medicine and herbs are widely used in the Saudi Arabia population.

Objectives: Assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a Saudi population.

Design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: Adults attending an outpatient clinic at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Patients and Methods: A survey questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning CAM.

Statistical Analysis: Pearson’s chi-square test and t-test.

Results: Of 250 respondents, 162 (64.8%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 36.16 ± 11.85 years. Of the respondents, 166 (66.4%) claimed to have knowledge about CAM; 123 stated this knowledge was primarily obtained through social media. A total of 148 respondents (59.2%) practiced CAM, and the most common practices included incantation (36.0%), herbal medicine (33.6%), cupping (33.6%), and honey (27.6%). Most respondents (87.2%), especially older individuals, agreed/strongly agreed that a need for CAM exists, and 217 (86.8%) also agreed/strongly agreed that rules and regulations should be implemented for CAM. A total of 152 respondents (60.8%) believed that CAM is effective, and 74.4% believed that CAM is safe. Women were significantly more likely to use supplements, whereas men were significantly more likely to use camel products.

Conclusion: Most of our study population had knowledge about CAM and practiced CAM, particularly older individuals, and more than half of the respondents discussed CAM with health professionals. Old age (>40 years), low education levels, and female sex were linked to a high frequency of CAM usage

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Corresponding Author

Alaa Ali Alarbash

Department of Family Medicine Institution(s): King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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