The Examination of the Use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Practices by Turkish Citizens and Syrians Under Temporary Protection

Abstract

As of the mid-twentieth century, rapid advances in disease diagnosis and treatment had increased the use of complementary and alternative therapies.
 
 Material and Method: This study was conducted among Syrians under temporary protection aged 18 and over and Turkish citizens in the province of Elazig, located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The number of people to be sampled was calculated as 295. The study included the same number of Turkish citizens as the control group. 
 
 Results: Participants learned about Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Applications most frequently from family. The first three methods mostly used by Syrians under temporary protection were the use of herbal products with 93.9%, bloodletting therapy and cupping therapy with 46.8%. Among Turkish citizens, the first three mostly used methods were the use of herbal products with 88.1%, cupping therapy with 13.6%, and bloodletting therapy with 10.5%. While 98.0% of Turkish individuals reported experiencing side effects from traditional complementary medicine practices, 46.1% of Syrians under temporary protection reported experiencing side effects. 
 
 Conclusion: Participants learned about Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Practices most frequently from family members. Access to information on this subject should be facilitated. Awareness-raising studies should be carried out, especially in the use of herbal products.