Research Article | Volume: 7, Issue: 6, June, 2017

Attitudes towards complementary alternative medicine among Malaysian adults

Malina Jasamai Farida Islahudin Nur Farhah Samsuddin   

Open Access   

Published:  Jun 30, 2017

DOI: 10.7324/JAPS.2017.70627
Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become more popular in recent years. Psychosocial factors such as attitude towards CAM has been suggested as a predictor of CAM use in certain populations. This study investigated the association between attitude and CAM use among the local population. The questionnaire-based survey was performed prospectively among adults aged ≥18 years, with informed consent. Results demonstrated that a high number of respondents admitted to CAM use (n=297/417, 71.2%) compared with those that did not use CAM (n=117/417, 28.1%). The use of herbal products was the most popular CAM (n=227, 54.44%). The main reason for CAM use was recommendation from friends and family (n-217, 52%). The main reason for not using CAM was due to satisfaction with conventional medicines (n=106, 25.4%). Attitude scores demonstrated that respondents felt positive towards the need for pharmacists to equip themselves with sufficient CAM knowledge (3.04±0.032, maximum; 4). There was a positive correlation between the number of CAM used and total attitude score (ρ=0.102, p=0.036). In conclusion, personal attitude influenced their likelihood of using CAM among the local population. The need for appropriate advice on CAM use is reflected in the need for pharmacists’ community support.


Keyword:     Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) attitude herbal products conventional medicines.


Citation:

Jasamai M, Islahudin F, Samsuddin NF. Attitudes towards complementary alternative medicine among Malaysian adults. J App Pharm Sci, 2017; 7 (06): 190-193.

Copyright:The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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