Complementary Medicine Practices Research Articles

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIORS RELATED TO COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTICES IN PHYSIOTHERAPY AND REHABILITATION STUDENTS

Purpose: There are studies in the literature evaluating students’ attitudes toward and knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, with most of this research focusing on medical, pharmacy, nursing and psychology students; however, few studies have been conducted with physiotherapy and rehabilitation (PTR) students. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to CAM among students of PTR.
 
 Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2018 to March 2019. A self-administered questionnaire form developed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding CAM practices among students of PTR. The questionnaire form included eighteen items that was sent via email to the participants. 
 
 Results: A total of 504 participants were included in this study. Their mean age was 21.66±2.50 years, 69.84% was female and 30.16% was male. Most participants (76.99%) thought that various CAM practices could be beneficial adjuncts to modern medicine. The most used sources of CAM practices was reported as online resources (64.68%). Moreover, the most well-known CAM practice among the students was massage (82.90%).
 
 Conclusions and Suggestions: Majority of PTR students had a positive opinion about CAM practices. Incorporating evidence-based CAM practices with high levels of efficacy into the curricula can reliably increase physiotherapists’ knowledge about CAM practices.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards complementary and alternative medicine and associated factors among health care professionals in public health facilities of Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia

Even if modern medicine is becoming more widely available, a considerable portion of the world's population continues to rely on complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine is used by 80% of the population in developing countries for their health care. The study was conducted to assess Knowledge, Attitude and practice towards complementary and alternative medicine and associated factors among health care professionals in public health facilities of Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia. The study was conducted in Hadiya Zone from October 10 to October 30, 2019. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed using simple random sampling methods. Three hundred sixty six health care professionals were selected using a simple random sample method. The data were collected using a standardized self-administered and pre-tested questionnaire that was adapted from different literatures. We used descriptive statistics, as well as bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. An association was determined using P-values less than 0.05 and 95 percent confidence intervals. The results of the study were presented using texts and tables. Three hundred and fifty-five respondents were interviewed, with a 97 percent respondent rate. Two hundred thirty-two (65.4%) of the study participants have good knowledge towards complementary and alternative medicine, 216 (60.8%) have a favorable attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine, and 182 (51.3%) have utilized it in the previous two years. Some of the factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice towards complementary and alternative medicine were health care professionals who have contact with patients who seek complementary and alternative medicine [AOR = 1.89(95% CI; 1.18, 3.03), female health care professionals [AOR = 2.43(95% CI; 2.68, 9.74), and more than six years work experience [AOR = 1.68(95% CI; 1.04, 2.71). The knowledge, attitude, and practice of complementary and alternative medicine among health care professionals were low. Creating communication lines with patients and facilitating the integration of complementary and alternative medicine with modern medicine.

Investigating The Relationship Between Midwifery Students’ View on Traditional/Complementary Medicine and Health Perception: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the view of midwifery students on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices and their health perception.
 Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the midwifery department of the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university in the Black Sea Region between October 4th and November 22nd, 2021 (n=304). Descriptive information form, Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Medicine Attitude Scale (CACMAS), and Health Perception Scale were used to collect the data. SPSS 23.0 statistical program was used for conducting data analysis and the data were presented using mean, standard deviation, number, and percentage values. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the variables.
 Results: A total of 304 female students participated in this study with a mean age of 20.98 ± 2.18 years. Among them, 68.4% of the students had a family income below the minimum wage, 77.6% had a nuclear family, and 50.3% lived in the city center. Cupping (blood letting 83.8%) was the most frequent CAM practice, and acupuncture (55.9%) was the most common practice for women’s health. Mean score of the students was 111.5 ± 19.1 of 189 points on the CACMAS and 52.7 ± 7.08 points on the Health Perception Scale. No significant correlation was found between the scores of the CACMAS and Health Perception Scale (p > 0.05).
 Conclusion: Students’ views on traditional complementary medicine and health perceptions were found to be high. It is necessary to increase the awareness of students on these topics.

Status of hemodialysis patients using complementary and alternative medicine practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) applications increased by 39.3% of individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process in Turkey. For this reason, this descriptive study was conducted to determine the use of integrative and integrated medicine practices in hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of the study consisted of individuals who were treated in a hemodialysis unit in the city center (n = 235). It was planned to include whole of the population by using the whole number method, but patients, who did not agree to participate in the study and did not meet the inclusion criteria of the study, were excluded from the sample and the study was conducted with 160 patients between 1st June and 1st September 2021. As a data collection tool, a questionnaire consisting of 30 questions including socio-demographic and disease characteristics of the patients was prepared by the researcher upon review of related literature. Considering the distribution of phytotherapy method (herbal treatment) usage frequency of integrative and integrated medicine applications of individuals before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the most vitamins (21.8%), prebiotics (12.5%), and honey (%) 10.6), their use was found to be high. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of massage (40%), breathing exercises (30.0%) and spiritual therapy (28.7%) applications increased. As a result, it is seen that integrative and integrated applications are considered in the process of dealing with hemodialysis patients. Physicians need to be aware of and ask patients about their use of integrated and integrated health practices.

Güney Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi Sülük Faunasının Araştırılması

Bu çalışma, Ocak 2012- Aralık 2014 tarihleri arasında Güney Doğu Anadolu Bölgesinde yer alan yedi ilde (Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin ve Şanlıurfa) bulunan akarsu, baraj, göl, gölet ve sazlık alan olmak üzere toplam 169 tatlısu habitatında sülük faunasının belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütüldü. Sülük örnekleri habitatın özelliğine göre birim zaman, birim çerçeve (Sülük toplama çerçevesi) ve Ekman kepçesi yöntemiyle toplandı. Toplam 169 sulak alanın 53’ünde sülük tespit edildi. Çalışma süresince toplanan sülük örnekleri su bulunan 0,5-1,0 L’lik pet bidonlarla laboratuvara taşındı. Sülük örnekleri önce % 10 etanol içinde bayıltıldı, sonra %70 alkol veya %4 formalin içinde tespit edildi. Toplanmış olan sülükler morfolojik özelliklerine göre stereo mikroskop altında teşhisi yapıldı. Bu çalışma sonunda , Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi sulak alanlarında Albolossiphonia heteroclita, Albolossiphonia sp., Dina apathyi, Dina sp., Erpobdella octoculata, E. testacea, Erpobdella sp., Helobdella stagnalis, Hirudo sulukii, Placobdella costata ve Placobdella sp. olmak üzere altı soya ait toplam 11 farklı sülük türü belirlendi. Söz konusu çalışma kapsamında tesbit edilen H. sulukii dünya için 2016 yılında tanımlanmış bir tıbbi sülük türü olup, bölge halkı tarafından geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamaları çerçevesinde kullanılmaktadır.

Evidence implementation among complementary medicine practitioners: a meta-summary.

To explore the factors impacting evidence implementation in complementary medicine (CM) practice. MEDLINE and CINAHL were systematically searched for cross-sectional studies examining evidence implementation among CM practitioners. Qualitative data from eligible studies were collated and analysed using a meta-summary approach. Data were coded according tothe five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and translated into barriers and enablers. Qualitative data were available for 614 participants (from 16 disciplines) across 14 studies. Coding identified 34 themes, with most themes aligning with theInner Setting (11 themes) and Characteristics of the Intervention (10 themes) domains of the CFIR. The most commonly referenced barriers to evidence implementation were: 'Lack of supportive resources' (Effect size [ES]=33.3%), 'Research misalignment with profession and practice' (ES=14.5%) and 'Lack of access to knowledge and information' (ES=10.5%). The most common enablers were: 'Recognition of a need for change' (ES=8.2%) and 'Perceived adaptability of EBP to the profession' (ES=7.8%). This research offers new insights into the challenges and opportunities to implementing evidence-based practices in the field of CM. The findings underline the complexity of the phenomenon, and the need for a nuanced, multi-faceted and multi-stakeholder approach to improving evidence implementation in CM.

Application of Virtual Reality Technology in Clinical Practice, Teaching, and Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Background The application of virtual reality (VR) in clinical settings is growing rapidly, with encouraging results. As VR has been introduced into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a systematic review must be undertaken to understand its current status. Aim This review aims to evaluate and summarize the current applications of VR in CAM, as well as to explore potential directions for future research and development. Methods After a brief description of VR technology, we discuss the past 20 years of clinical VR applications in the medical field. Then, we discuss the theoretical basis of the combination of VR technology and CAM, the research thus far, and practical factors regarding usability, etc., from the following three main aspects: clinical application, teaching, and scientific research. Finally, we summarize and propose hypotheses on the application of VR in CAM and its limitations. Results Our review of the theoretical underpinnings and research findings to date leads to the prediction that VR and CAM will have a significant impact on future research and practice. Conclusion Although there is still much research needed to advance the science in this area, we strongly believe that VR applications will become indispensable tools in the toolbox of CAM researchers and practitioners and will only grow in relevance and popularity in the era of digital health.

Scientist practitioners in complementary medicine practice: A case study in an N-of-1 trial

• Health practitioners need ways to foster a scientist-practitioner approach to practice. • N-of-1 trials align well with patient-centred complementary medicine practice. • After participating in N-of-1 trials, naturopaths continued to engage with current literature. • After participating in N-of-1 trials, naturopaths continued to used validated questionnaires.

Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) Toxicity Diagnosed in the Emergency Department

BackgroundBottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is sometimes used in complementary medicine practice for the treatment of chronic ailments. However, there have been reports of toxicity due to consumption of bottle gourd juice, leading to severe abdominal upset and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Case ReportWe present a case of a 41-year-old gentleman who presented to the Emergency Department with multiple episodes of vomiting, hematemesis, and diarrhea after consuming bottle gourd juice. The patient was resuscitated and stabilized with fluids, proton pump inhibitors, and antiemetics. He was subsequently admitted to the General Medicine ward for further management. He continued to receive symptomatic treatment in the ward and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy during his hospitalization stay. His symptoms improved and he was discharged stable 5 days later.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Early recognition of this rare presentation of bottle gourd toxicity is important in our local context, especially where traditional medicine is widely prevalent nowadays. Treatment is supportive. Public awareness of dangerous effects from the consumption of bitter bottle gourd juice and complementary medicine without proper consultation with a practitioner plays a crucial role to prevent further cases. Physicians need to advise patients on the use of traditional medicine and their potential side effects.

Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Adults in Riyadh

The interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been well documented. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) studies in CAM are critical for paving the way for intervention efforts to raise awareness. The aim was to measure the knowledge and attitudes of adults and to identify the factors associated with the use and practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An observational cross-sectional, community-based, and multi-center study was conducted. After receiving consent, data were collected using a Google form-based online questionnaire. Most of the participants (82.5%) preferred to use CAM in combination with conventional medicine. The most common health problems were menstrual pain (49.5%) and abdominal pain (24.5%). The commonly used CAM remedies in this study were honey (65%) and Zamzam (Believed to be blessed holy water in the Islamic faith) (59.6%). The common causes given by the participants for preferring CAM remedies were because they were natural products (34%) and also avoiding the side effects of drugs (33.5%). Participants younger than 18 were the most supportive age group. Honey was the most chosen modality, contrary to the findings of the Qassim study. It was found that the common cold was the commonest reason for CAM use in the study's population, whereas in the Bahrain study diabetes mellitus was the reason. In conclusion, awareness about CAM was remarkably high among the participants of this study. A high proportion of respondents prefer to use CAM along with traditional medicines. The high proportion use of CAM encountered in this study was remarkable for the health education that addresses both advantages and drawbacks of CAM. Proper scientific research into safety and effectiveness is needed.

Commentary on locus standi of Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575 and complementary and alternative medicine practices in Ghana

One significant aspect of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act (2000) Act 575 is to ensure the registration of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the Ghanaian jurisdiction that comes within its ambit. This is made clear by the preamble to the law, which states in part, that the law is to establish a Council to regulate the practice of traditional medicine, to register practitioners and license practices, to regulate the preparation and sale of herbal medicine and to provide for related matters. Thus the letter and spirit of the law are clear without ambiguity. The Traditional Medicine Practice Council established by Act 575 now regulates Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices in Ghana. This commentary provides or the capacity of Act 575 and the practice of CAM in Ghana.

Modified prolotherapy by 5% dextrose: Two years experiences of a traditional and complementary medicine practice center in Turkey.

Prolotherapy (PrT) is an increasingly popular regenerative injection treatment for the management of musculoskeletal injuries. The diagnostic injection is a method for selecting suitable patients to apply PrT using subcutaneous 5% dextrose solution. The study aims to assess the PrT usage and modifications in the treatment of chronic low back pain and lumbar disc herniation and to define diagnostic injection procedure for PrT. Two thousand three hundred and eighty-two patients with low back pain or lumbar disc herniation were evaluated at the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practice Center in Ankara, Turkey. Six hundred fifty-four patients were included in the study. Diagnostic injections were performed on all patients who were thought to be eligible candidates for PrT indications. A 4-or-6 week interval was allowed between treatment sessions. Xix hundred and fifty-four patient treatments were completed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores decreased to 5.1 ± 1.4 while 7.2 ± 1.1 before the diagnostic injection (p< 000.1). The VAS scores decreased from 7.2 ± 1.1 before the treatment to 0.9 ± 0.9 after 52 weeks of the treatment (p< 000.1). Thirty-four patients' treatments resulted in poor clinical results (5.2%), and 620 of the patients' pain improved (94.8%). PrT can be regarded as a safe way of providing a meaningful improvement in pain and musculoskeletal function compared to the initial status. Diagnostic injection is an easy way to eliminate patients and may become a favorite treatment modality. 5% dextrose is a more simple and painless solution for PrT and also has a high success.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Opinions of Health Professionals and Students on Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices in Turkey: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To perform a systematic compilation and meta-analysis of research on the knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of health professionals and students on traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practices in Turkey. Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis study. The literature review on the subject of the research was carried out between February 25 and March 8, 2022. A search was made on Google Scholar in Turkish and English with appropriate keywords for 2000 and later. Results: A total of 43 studies were identified that met the acceptance criteria. The first three lines of TCM implementations used are, as follows: (i) massage, (ii) herbal therapy, and (iii) acupuncture. The first three lines for the most well-known TCM implementations are, as follows: (i) acupuncture, (ii) herbal therapy, and (iii) massage. The prevalence of the opinion as “TCM should be included in the curriculum of medical and health schools” ranged from 36.7% to 90.4%. The prevalence of the opinion of “It should be applied by evaluating their effectiveness with controlled studies” was between 34.4% and 95.7%. The prevalence of meta-analysis for training on TCM was found to be 21% (95% CI: 14%-29%). The meta-analysis prevalence of participants using any TCM implementation was 45% (95% CI: 37%-54%). The meta-analysis prevalence of knowing TCM implementations was found to be 66% (95% CI: 56%-75%). Conclusion: There is increasing interest in TCM and concerns remain due to the lack of evidence-based studies. The frequency of negative thinking in physicians is higher than that of other healthcare personnel. However, in general, positive opinions about TCM were found to be dominant over negative opinions. The demand for TCM training and including TCM in school curricula is striking.

Disclosure of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use and its Associated Factors to Medical Doctors Among the Longhouse Community in Julau, Sarawak

Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) practice is increasing worldwide and Malaysia is no exception. Despite the wide use of TCM by the population, there seems to be an issue of not disclosing TCM use to their medical doctor. The aim was to explore the related factors that influence the disclosure of TCM use to medical doctor among respondents in selected longhouses in Sarawak. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 respondents from selected Iban longhouses in Julau, Sarikei District. Data were collected using face-to-face interview based on questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, TCM use and disclosure, health profile, healthcare utilization and attitude towards TCM. To determine the factors related to disclosure of TCM use, independent t-test and Chi-square (χ2) test was used to examine the relationship between various variables and disclosure of TCM use. The mean age of studied participants was 45.20 (±14.92) years and 80% were married. The prevalence of ever used of TCM treatment was 70%. The rate of disclosure of TCM use among respondents was 27%. Univariate analyses yielded three main factors that significant associated with the disclosure of TCM use among respondents which were education level, presence of chronic diseases and type of chronic diseases (heart disease). The rate of disclosure of TCM use in this study is very low consistent with other local and foreign studies. Thus, other relevant factors that are not studied need to be further explored for better understanding in order to have better integration between TCM and current health system.

GEBELERİN COVID-19 KORKU DÜZEYLERİ İLE KULLANDIKLARI KORUYUCU, GELENEKSEL VE TAMAMLAYICI TIP UYGULAMALARI ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ

Çalışmada gebelerin Covid-19 korkusu ve Covid-19 riskine ilişkin kullandıkları koruyucu, geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamalarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma, 10 Temmuz-10 Eylül 2021 tarihleri arasında bir üniversite hastanesinin Perinatoloji Polikliniği’nde 594 gebe ile kesitsel olarak yapılmıştır. Veriler anket formu ve Koronavirüs Korkusu Ölçeği ile toplanmıştır. Veri analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve pearson korelasyon testi kullanılmış ve p&amp;lt;0.05 değeri istatistiksel olarak anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Gebelerin Koronavirüs Korkusu Ölçeği puanı 18.33±7.15’tir. En fazla uyulan kurallar ortamların havalandırılması (%98.3), maske takma (%98.3), öksürme/hapşırma sırasında ağzı/burnu mendille kapatmadır (%97.0). En az uygulananlar ise kıyafetleri yüksek ısıda yıkama (%17.2), kişisel eşyaları ortak kullanmama (%13.1) ve ellerle, ağıza, buruna ve gözlere dokunmamadır (%12.8). Gebeler Covid-19’a karşı 29 koruyucu, geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamalarından ortalama 14.35±4.89’unu yapmaktadır. En çok kullanılan uygulamalar yeşil sebze ve meyve (%93.3), et, balık ve yumurta tüketmek (%89.9), bol su içmektir (%89.2). Gebeler uygulamalara ilişkin bilgiyi en çok doktor (%25.1) ve sosyal medyadan (%20.7) edinmiştir. Gebelerde Covid-19 korkusunun artması ile yapılan koruyucu, geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulama sayısı ve uygulanan kural sayısı arasında pozitif yönlü zayıf düzeyde bir ilişki vardır (&amp;lt;0.001). Sonuçta gebeler pandemide bu uygulamaları yaygın olarak kullanmakta ve koronavirüs korkusunun artması ile bu yöntemlere başvurma durumları ve kurallara uyma eğilimleri artmaktadır.

Improved Survival and Quality of Life Through an Integrative, Multidisciplinary Oncological Approach: Pathophysiological Analysis of Four Clinical Cancer Cases and Review of the Literature.

Objectives: According to the National Cancer Institute, the integrative medicine (IM) approach to medical care combines standard medicine with complementary and alternative medicine practices that have proved safe and effective. Methods: We describe the clinical cases of four patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and breast cancer (BC) who received supportive treatment (ST) according to an IM approach after the failure of standard cancer treatments or the appearance of serious adverse events caused by antiblastic chemotherapy. The critical role of complementary drugs in reducing the side effects of cancer treatments and normalizing the white cell count is especially apparent in the case of the patient with metastatic BC, who experienced prolonged neutropenia. Results: The IM approach was well-tolerated and had no adverse side effects. It improved the quality of life (QoL) of all patients and in two cases extended overall survival. Conclusion: The extended clinical and instrumental response to IM of the patients with malignant mesothelioma and the improved health-related QoL and good tolerance of the ST demonstrated in all cases support the value of this approach in patients whose cancer therapies have failed but who show a good performance status. Our data require confirmation in a well-designed prospective clinical trial.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of complementary and alternative medicine: a survey of physicians and nurses at an academic medical center in Beirut

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among physicians and nurses at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in Beirut, Lebanon. A web-based survey was emailed to 518 physicians and 423 registered nurses in all medical departments at AUBMC. Of the 94 physicians responding to the survey, 61% have never referred a patient to a CAM practitioner yet 33% reported that they would refer if available. Sixty-two percent of physicians believed that incorporating evidence-based CAM therapies will increase patient satisfaction and 66% thought that offering CAM would attract more patients. Of the 80 nurses who responded, 78.7% have never referred a patient to a CAM practitioner, yet half reported that they would likely refer if a CAM practitioner was available. Fifty-seven percent of nurses surveyed believed that offering CAM would attract more patients while 59% thought that it would increase patient satisfaction. Most nurses were uncomfortable counseling patients about CAM modalities. Favorable attitudes towards CAM were reflected by the physicians and nurses as signified by the above-average attitude means towards CAM (M = 4.01, SD = .16 and M = 3.25, SD = .59, respectively). The study findings demonstrate that despite the physicians’ and nurses’ limited knowledge and their discomfort in counseling on CAM, they expressed acceptability and willingness in using and incorporating CAM therapies into clinical practice at AUBMC. This is the first study conducted in Lebanon that assesses both nurses’ and physicians’ perspectives on the use of all CAM domains in general within the same healthcare setting. This study not only provides baseline data but also highlights the knowledge gap and learning needs among physicians and nurses with regards to CAM.

The impact of health literacy levels on women’s fear of contracting Covid-19 and their attitudes toward holistic complementary and alternative medicine: Mediation analysis results

Researchers aim to examine mediating variable role of health literacy in the relationship between fear of contracting Covid-19 in women and use of holistic complementary alternative medicine. The study was conducted as descriptive cross-sectional. The researchers collected study data by conducting an online questionnaire from 285 women between April 01 and June 30, 2021. In our study, a significant relationship was found between education level and health literacy, having a chronic illness, not being able to find a permanent job and fear of Covid-19 (p < 0.05). Positive correlation exists between fear of contracting Covid-19 and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practice (correlation between HCAM Practice β=.21). When health literacy variable is included, the level of relationship decreases (β=.18). The researchers determined that as the level of health literacy increased, the women resorted to HCAM practices less despite their fear of contracting Covid-19.

Trends in traditional and complementary medicine practices in Turkey: Results of two consecutive surveys 2012-2018.

To determine the knowledge, opinions, experiences and trends regarding herbal treatment, traditional medicine and other complementary and alternative medicine. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted at Meram Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Konya, Turkey, in 2012 and 2018, comprising subjects of either gender aged >18 years. Data was collected using a survey form prepared in the light of relevant literature. Data was summarised and compared between the two studies. Of the 810 subjects in the two studies, there were 405(50%) in 2012 with a mean age of 32.5±14.0 years, while the remaining 405(50%) were part of the 2018 study with a mean age of 34.4±13.8. There were significant differences between the two group of subjects about the use and indications of traditional and complementary medicine as those who believed traditional and complementary medicine was proper to use increased and those who believed it should not be used decreased significantly (p<0.001). There was a twofold increase in the use of social media as the source of relevant information (p<0.001). Significant changes in trends related to the use of traditional and complementary medicine between 2012 and 2018 were observed.

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

As of the mid-twentieth century, rapid advances in disease diagnosis and treatment had increased the use of complementary and alternative therapies.&#x0D; &#x0D; 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. &#x0D; &#x0D; 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. &#x0D; &#x0D; 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.