Cross-sectional survey on complementary and alternative medicine awareness among health care professionals and students using CHBQ questionnaire in a Balkan country

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 650-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihajlo B. Jakovljevic ◽  
Vera Djordjevic ◽  
Veroljub Markovic ◽  
Olivera Milovanovic ◽  
Nemanja K. Rancic ◽  
...  
2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Naja ◽  
M. Alameddine ◽  
L. Itani ◽  
H. Shoaib ◽  
D. Hariri ◽  
...  

Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Lebanon.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted through face to face interviews on a nationally representative sample of 1,475 Lebanese adults. The survey questionnaire explored the sociodemographic and health related characteristics as well as the types and modes of CAM use. The main outcome in this study was the use of CAM during the last 12 months.Results. Prevalence of CAM use was 29.87% with “folk herbs” being the most commonly used (75%). Two out of five CAM users indicated using it as alternative to conventional therapies and only 28.4% of users disclosed the use of CAM to their physician. CAM use was significantly associated with higher income, presence of a chronic disease, and lack of access to needed health care. Lower odds of CAM use were observed among older adults and those with a higher education level.Conclusions. This study revealed a high prevalence of CAM use in Lebanon. Health policy and decision makers need to facilitate proper regulation and integration of CAM into mainstream medicine and educate health care providers and the public alike on the safe and effective use of CAM therapies.


Author(s):  
G. K. Mini ◽  
Chitra A. Grace ◽  
Lordson Jinbert

Background: Globally, there is evidence of increased Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use during epidemics, and pandemics.  Recent studies have shown that there is an increased use of CAM during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to investigate the pattern of CAM practice in the prevention of COVID-19 pandemic among adults in Kerala state, India.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the first week of June 2021 among adults residing in Kerala state. The study used a pre-tested google form to collect the data. A total of 548 individuals aged 18-84 years answered an online questionnaire for the present study.Results: A higher proportion (52.4%) of participants were aged <30 years, 30.8% were males, 55.3% rural residents, 26.6% health care professionals, and 51.1% had a regular income. CAM use prevalence was 59.3% (95% CI: 55.1 to 63.3). Social media (46.9%) was the most frequently reported source of CAM. The age-adjusted analysis results showed that CAM use was higher among health professionals (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.41-3.27), those who did not believe that vaccine could prevent coronavirus (OR: 1.91 CI: 1.08-3.39), and those who were having no regular income (OR: 1.56, CI: 1.04-2.34), compared to their counterparts.Conclusions: Close to 60% of CAM use in this population is a public health concern since the efficacy of CAM use for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 is not known.  The CAM users will be under a sense of false protection, which is likely to negate vaccination and seeking proper treatment for COVID -19 in Kerala.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnete Egilsdatter Kristoffersen ◽  
Miek C. Jong ◽  
Johanna Hök Nordberg ◽  
Esther T. van der Werf ◽  
Trine Stub

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has had a profound impact on physical and mental well-being throughout the world. Previous studies have revealed that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used for, and can be potential beneficial for strengthening physical mental resilience. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence, associations and reasons for use of CAM during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among a representative sample of the Norwegian population, and determine possible effects and adverse effects of the treatments. MethodsComputer assisted telephone interviews using a COVID-adapted I-CAM-Q questionnaire were conducted with 1008 randomly selected Norwegians aged 16 and above using multistage sampling during April and May 2020 applying age and sex quotas for each area. Descriptive statistics were carried out using Pearson’s Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Independent samples T-tests to identify group differences. ResultsThe study revealed that two thirds of the respondents (67%) had used CAM within the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular CAM modalities that did not involve a provider. Most used were natural remedies and dietary supplement (57%, mainly vitamins and minerals), but self-help practices like yoga and meditation were also widely used (24%). Women used CAM modalities significantly more than men (77% vs. 58%). Most of the respondents found the modalities they used beneficial, and 5% reported adverse effects of the treatments.ConclusionsThe first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has not profoundly changed the overall need of Norwegian citizens to seek care outside the conventional healthcare system, but rather caused a shift in the type of CAM modalities used. The risk profile of these modalities was generally low as only 5 % of the respondents reported adverse effects. Further studies are needed to confirm the change from provider based to self-administered CAM use.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maida J. Sewitch ◽  
Monica Cepoiu ◽  
Nicole Rigillo ◽  
Donald Sproule

Objective. To summarize health care professionals' attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Methods. In October 2006, we searched Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED; 1985—2006), Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE; 1980—2006), and MED-LINE (1960—2006) for Canadian or US studies of health care professionals' attitudes toward CAM, published in English or French. Results. A total of 21 surveys of physicians, nurses, public health professionals, dietitians, social workers, medical/nursing school faculty, and pharmacists were included that focused on beliefs about CAM efficacy, personal use, clinical practice use and referrals, communication with patients about CAM, level of knowledge, and the need for information regarding various CAM therapies. Physicians were more negative compared to other health care professionals. Positive attitudes toward CAM did not correlate with CAM referral or prescription patterns. Health care professionals of all disciplines wanted more information about CAM. Conclusions. Heterogeneity in the CAM definition and questionnaire items precluded summarizing health care professionals' attitudes toward CAM. Providing CAM education to health care professionals may help to integrate CAM into mainstream medical care.


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