Knowledge and Attitudes of Adults Visiting Family Health Centers in Ankara About Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices During the Pandemic

Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 73 - 82, 31.08.2024

Engin Isik , Fatma Nur Baran Aksakal

https://doi.org/10.59124/guhes.1524302

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCAM) among adults before and during the pandemic. This study is a cross-sectional research conducted in 9 Family Physician Centers in 3 central districts of Ankara. The minimum sample size was calculated as 360, and 372 adults were reached. In the pre-pandemic period, the number of individuals who heard about TCAM applications was 234 (62.9%), out of which 83 (35.5%) have applied. Individuals over 40 were more likely to have heard of TCAM methods (p<0.0001). During the pandemic period, 19.9% of the participants applied any of the TCAM methods. The most frequently applied method was cupping (36.8%), and the most frequently declared reason was "to strengthen the immune system". The frequency of applying TCAM methods was higher among individuals with chronic illnesses (p=0.026). TCAM methods are frequently utilized by adults in the population. Almost one-fifth of the adults have used any TCAM method during the pandemic period. There is a need for comprehensive studies to investigate the reasons that push people to use TCAM and ensure that the methods are applied by health personnel under healthy conditions.

Keywords

adult, complementary, medicine, pandemic, traditional

Ethical Statement

Ethical Approval has been obtained from Gazi University Ethics Committee dated 07.02.2023, Resaerch code: 2023-124

Supporting Institution

None

Thanks

Thank you for your valuable afforts for evaluating our manuscript for publishing in your distinguished high-quality Journal. Best regards

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