scholarly journals Attitudes of Chinese immigrants in Canada towards the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine for prevention and management of COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey during the early stages of the pandemic

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e051499
Author(s):  
Yujia Kong ◽  
Lance Garrett Shaver ◽  
Fuyan Shi ◽  
Lixia Yang ◽  
Weiguo Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Chinese Immigrants ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

ObjectionThe objective of this study was to assess attitudes towards the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for COVID-19 among Chinese immigrants in Canada during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 in Canada. Individuals aged 16 or older who were of Chinese origin and living in Canada at the time of the survey were invited to participate in an online survey. Descriptive and univariate statistics were performed to describe participant attitudes towards various preventive and treatment measures for COVID-19. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent associations with sociodemographic factors and attitudes.ResultsA total of 754 eligible respondents were included in the analysis. 65.8% of the participants were female, 77.2% had a university degree or higher and 28.6% were 55 years of age or older. Overall, 48.8% of the study participants believed that TCM was effective in preventing COVID-19% and 46.2% would use TCM if they had COVID-19-related symptoms. However, the corresponding numbers for western medicine were 20.8% and 39.9%, which were statistically lower (p<0.01). Older participants (55+vs <35, OR=3.55 (95% CI 2.05 to 6.14); 35–54 vs <35, OR=1.98 (95% CI 1.27 to 3.08)) and those who were dissatisfied with their income (OR=2.47(95% CI 1.56 to 3.92)) were more likely to believe TCM was effective against COVID-19. Similarly, older participants (55+vs <35, OR=3.13 (95% CI 1.79 to 5.46); 35–54 vs <35, OR=2.25 (95% CI 1.35 to 3.74)), females (OR=1.60 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.23)), and those born in mainland China (OR=10.49 (95% CI 2.32 to 47.39)) were more likely to use TCM if they had symptoms of COVID-19.ConclusionDespite the lack of scientific evidence to support its use, TCM was widely believed by Chinese immigrants in Canada to be an effective means of preventing COVID-19 and many also stated they would use it if they were experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Awareness and Attitudes towards Advance Care Directives (ACDs): An Online Survey of Portuguese Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 648
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira ◽  
Maria dos Anjos Dixe ◽  
Luís Gueifão ◽  
Lina Caetano ◽  
Rui Passadouro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Advance Care Directives ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Advance Decisions ◽  
Eol Care

(1) Background: Evidence shows that facilitated advance decisions can increase the number of meaningful and valid Advance Care Directives (ACDs) and improve the quality of care when End-Of-Life (EOL) is near. Little is known about the awareness and attitudes of Portuguese adults towards ACDs. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and preferences of a sample of Portuguese adults regarding EOL care decisions and ACDs. (2) Methods: A total of 1024 adults were assessed with an online cross-sectional survey collecting information on sociodemographic factors, knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding advance decisions and EOL care. (3) Results: Participants had a mean age of 40.28 ± 11.41 years. Most were female and had a professional background related to healthcare. While 76.37% of participants had heard of ACDs, only a small percentage (2.34%) had actually ever made an ACD. Knowledge levels were weakly correlated with attitudes regarding ACDs (r = −0.344; p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: Participants lacked a comprehensive understanding about ACDs, but revealed positive attitudes towards their use and usefulness. Further research can inform efforts to improve ACD engagement in this population. The discussion about ACDs should be part of health promotion education with a focus on planning for a comfortable and peaceful death.

scholarly journals An evaluation survey of traditional Chinese medicine learning among international students majoring in conventional medicine: a study from a university in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Qu ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Minchen Dai ◽  
Yijing He ◽  
Jiaqi Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Course Content

Abstract Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained increasing acceptance and popularity by the global community. The current study aimed to investigate self-reported evaluations of learning TCM and opinions about TCM courses among undergraduate international students majoring in conventional medicine at a university in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. A self-reported questionnaire was administered to international undergraduates who were enrolled in the TCM course during the 2018 and 2019 academic years (n = 157). The course employed a student-centered, multiform learning model. Demographic data and self-reported evaluations of TCM learning background and TCM learning course were obtained to conduct the analysis. Results A total of 133 students responded to the questionnaire. Among the respondents, 21.0% had some TCM-related knowledge, and 51.1% were interested in learning TCM before the course. Ninety-six students (85.7%) were from Asia. Students from Thailand showed significantly more interest in learning TCM than did students from other Asian countries (p = 0.025). After the course, 77.2% of students agreed that the course had brought about many benefits, 86.4% were satisfied with the course content, and 77.3% were satisfied with the teaching method. Students expressed their willingness to further learn acupuncture and to obtain more skilled practice through more visualized learning methods. Conclusions The majority of the international students we surveyed agreed that the TCM course improved their interest in and understanding of TCM. It is thus suggested that TCM education should be directed toward students’ learning barriers and needs.

scholarly journals Do Perceived Needs Affect Willingness to Use Traditional Chinese Medicine for Survivorship Care Among Chinese Cancer Survivors? A Cross-Sectional Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 692-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyun Sun ◽  
Yufei Yang ◽  
Emily Vertosick ◽  
SungHwa Jo ◽  
Guilan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
Chinese Cancer Survivors

Purpose We aimed to quantify Chinese cancer survivors’ perceived needs for survivorship care and to evaluate whether these needs could impact their willingness to use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey with members of the Beijing Anti-Cancer Association in China. We measured perceived needs with the seven-item Brief Chinese Cancer Survivorship Needs Scale that assesses psychological, functional, nutritional, social, body image, pain, and symptom needs. The outcome variable was willingness to use TCM for survivorship care. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate whether perceived needs are associated with willingness. Results A total of 600 patients were invited, with a response rate of 81%. The mean (standard deviation) score of the perceived needs scale (0 to 10) was 4.4 (2.2), with the majority of participants endorsing nutritional (72%), symptom (65%), and psychological (54%) needs. Among survivors, 387 (80%; 95% CI, 76% to 83%) were willing to use TCM for survivorship care. In multivariable analysis, a higher perceived needs score (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.56; P < .001) was associated with greater willingness to use TCM. Specifically, nutritional (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.79 to 5.62; P < .001) and symptom needs (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.79 to 5.55; P < .001) had the strongest relationship. Conclusion A higher level of perceived needs, especially in the areas of nutrition and symptoms, was associated with greater willingness to use TCM for survivorship care.

scholarly journals Depression, anxiety, stress and their associated factors among Ethiopian University students during an early stage of COVID-19 pandemic: An online-based cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251670
Author(s):  
Wudneh Simegn ◽  
Baye Dagnew ◽  
Yigizie Yeshaw ◽  
Sewbesew Yitayih ◽  
Birhanemeskel Woldegerima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Reading Materials

Background The occurrence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the mental health situation of almost everyone, including University students who spent most of their time at home due to the closure of the Universities. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing depression, anxiety, stress and identifying their associated factors among university students in Ethiopia during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We invited students to complete an online survey using Google forms comprising consent, socio-demographic characteristics, and the standard validated depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. After completion of the survey from June 30 to July 30, 2020, we exported the data into SPSS 22. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were computed. Associated factors were identified using binary logistic regression and variables with a p-value <0.05 were declared as statistically significant factors with the outcome variables. Results A total of 423 students completed the online survey. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in this study was 46.3%, 52%, and 28.6%, respectively. In the multivariable model, female sex, poor self-efficacy to prevent COVID-19, those who do not read any material about COVID-19 prevention, lack of access to reading materials about their profession, and lack of access to uninterrupted internet access were significantly associated with depression. Female sex, lower ages, students with non-health-related departments, those who do not think that COVID-19 is preventable, and those who do not read any materials about COVID-19 prevention were significantly associated with anxiety. Whereas, being female, students attending 1st and 2nd years, those who do not think that COVID-19 is preventable, presence of confirmed COVID-19 patient at the town they are living in, and lack of access to reading materials about their profession were significantly associated with stress. Conclusions Depression, anxiety, and stress level among University students calls for addressing these problems by controlling the modifiable factors identified and promoting psychological wellbeing of students.

scholarly journals Evaluating Cancer Patients’ Expectations and Barriers Toward Traditional Chinese Medicine Utilization in China: A Patient-Support Group–Based Cross-Sectional Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 885-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyun Sun ◽  
Jun J. Mao ◽  
Emily Vertosick ◽  
Christina Seluzicki ◽  
Yufei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Support Group ◽  
Localized Disease ◽  
Chinese Cancer Patients

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used among Chinese cancer patients. However, little is known about Chinese patients’ expectations and barriers toward using TCM for cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey within a patient-support group, the Beijing Anti-Cancer Association. We measured the outcome, Chinese cancer survivors’ expectations and barriers toward TCM utilization, using a modified version of ABCAM (Attitudes and Beliefs towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine), the ABTCM (Attitudes and Beliefs towards Traditional Chinese Medicine). We used multivariate models to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status and clinical factors on their expectations and barriers (including treatment concerns and logistical challenges domain) toward TCM. Results: Among 590 participants, most patients expected TCM to boost their immune system (96%), improve their physical health (96%), and reduce symptoms (94%). Many had logistical challenges (difficulty decocting herbs (58%) and finding a good TCM physician (55%)). A few were concerned that TCM might interfere with conventional treatments (7.6%), and that many TCM treatments are not based on scientific research (9.1%). In the multivariable regression model, age ≤60 years was independently associated with higher expectation score ( P = .031). Age ≤60 years (coefficient 5.0, P = .003) and localized disease (coefficient 9.5, P = .001) were both associated with higher treatment concerns. Active employment status (coefficient 9.0, P = .008) and localized disease (coefficient 7.5, P = .030) were related to more logistical challenges. Conclusion: Age and cancer stage were related to Chinese cancer patients’ perceived expectations and barriers toward TCM use. Understanding these attitudes is important for reshaping the role that TCM plays in China’s patient-centered comprehensive cancer care model.

scholarly journals Frequency of Online Health Information Seeking and Types of Information Sought Among the General Chinese Population: Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihui Xiong ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Zhong Li ◽  
Wanchun Xu ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Chinese Population

BACKGROUND The internet is one of the most popular health information resources, and the Chinese constitute one-fifth of the online users worldwide. As internet penetration continues to rise, more details on the Chinese population seeking online health information need to be known based on the current literature. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the sociodemographic differences in online health information seeking (OHIS), including the frequency of OHIS and the types of online health information sought among the general Chinese population in mainland China. METHODS A cross-sectional study for assessing the residents’ health care needs with self-administered questionnaires was implemented in 4 counties and districts in China from July 2018 to August 2018. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to identify the sociodemographic differences between infrequent and frequent online health information seekers. We also performed binary logistic regression for the 4 types of online health information as the dependent variables and the sociodemographic factors as the independent variables. RESULTS Compared with infrequent online health information seekers, frequent seekers were more likely to be female (infrequent: 1654/3318; 49.85%; frequent: 1015/1831, 55.43%), older (over 60 years old; infrequent: 454/3318, 13.68%; frequent: 282/1831, 15.40%), married (infrequent: 2649/3318, 79.84%; frequent: 1537/1831, 83.94%), and better educated (bachelor’s or above; infrequent: 834/3318, 25.14%; frequent: 566/1831, 30.91%). They were also more likely to earn a higher income (over RMB ¥50k [RMB ¥1=US $0.15641]; infrequent: 1139/3318, 34.33%; frequent: 710/1831, 34.78%), have commercial health insurance (infrequent: 628/3318, 18.93%; frequent: 470/1831, 25.67%), and have reported illness in the past 12 months (infrequent: 659/3318, 19.86%; frequent: 415/1831, 22.67%). Among the 4 health information types, health science popularization was the most searched for information by Chinese online health information seekers (3654/5149, 70.79%), followed by healthy behaviors (3567/5149, 69.28%), traditional Chinese medicine (1931/5149, 37.50%), and medical concerns (1703/5149, 33.07%). The binary logistic regression models showed that males were less likely to seek information on healthy behaviors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.69, 95% CI 0.61-0.78) and traditional Chinese medicine (AOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.57-0.73), and respondents who had at least 1 chronic disease were more likely to seek information on medical concerns (AOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07-1.51) and traditional Chinese medicine (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06-1.49). CONCLUSIONS Sociodemographic factors were associated with the frequency of OHIS and types of information sought among the general Chinese population. The results remind providers of online health information to consider the needs of specific population groups when tailoring and presenting health information to the target population.

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