KNOWLEDGE, OPINIONS AND PRACTICES OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) APPROACHES: A TURKISH EXAMPLE

Abstract

The study was carried out to explore the knowledge, opinions and practices of nursing students when it comes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. The study was done with 264 nursing students who were studying at a health school located in Turkey. The data was collected using a student information form. To assess the data; percentage, averages, standard deviation (SD) and Chi-squared test were employed. The most common CAM approaches were praying (63.3%), exercising (53.0%) and imagery therapy (46.2%). Of the 33.7% students had received information about CAM from some sources. As information sources; 58.4% of the students used internet, TV and 42.6% of them used newspaper, magazines and books. Additionally, 49.6% of the students stated that they have used CAM approaches. The most frequently used CAM approach by students was praying (42.0%). About half of the students (48.5%) resorted to CAM approaches in stress situations. Most of the students (79.9%) stated that massage was helpful. Of the 64.0% students emphasized that they wanted CAM approaches to be included in nursing curriculum. There were no statistically significant differences between use of CAM approaches and students� age, sex, marital status and family�s place of residence (p>0.05) but there was a statistically significant differences between students� class and use of CAM approaches (p<0.05). In light of the study results; it was discovered that nursing students had a generally positive opinion about CAM approaches but their knowledge level and practices related to CAM approaches were insufficient.