Knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, toward complementary and alternative medicine

Abstract

Background:Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a popular treatment option for many populations. The present work is aimed at studying the knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, toward CAM.Material and Methods:In this cross-sectional survey, a multistage random sample was taken from health professionals working in hospitals in Riyadh city and surrounding governorates. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, from 306 health professionals working in 19 hospitals, on socio-demographic data, knowledge about CAM and their sources, and attitudes toward CAM practices.Results:Of the participants, 88.9% had some knowledge about CAM. Respondents with a doctorate degree (94.74%) and 92.53% of those with a bachelor's degree had significantly higher knowledge of CAM than subjects with a diploma, a fellowship, or a master's degree (68.75%, 76.67%, and 85.41%, respectively, P = 0.004). Mass media represented 60.1% of sources of the knowledge of CAM followed by family, relatives, and friends (29.08%) and health educational organizations (14.71%). Participants estimated that prophetic medicine including prayer, honey and bee products, medical herbs, Hijama, nutrition and nutritional supplements, cauterization, and camel milk and urine were the most commonly used CAM practices (90.5%, 85%, 76.9%, 70.6%, 61.4%, 55.9%, and 52.5%, respectively) in addition to medical massage (61.8%) and acupuncture (55%). One hundred and fifteen (80%) physicians were ready to talk with their patients on CAM.Conclusion:The willingness to improve knowledge and create a positive attitude in health professionals toward CAM has increased. Religious practices, especially those related to prophetic medicine, are more common in the region. Health educational organizations have to play a greater role by being the source of evidence-based knowledge of CAM. Talking on CAM with patients should be improved by rooting them on evidence-based practices.

Medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice of complementary and alternative medicine: a pre- and post-exposure survey in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

“…Accordingly, medical students reported that their most important sources of CAM information were peers, scientific journals, media, and Internet, and these results are partially consistent with other reports. 30 Predictably, this CAM info-source scenario would change in future when CAM course will be integrated into main curriculum of all medical schools in KSA.…”

“…A PubMed search of relevant literature using key word complementary and alternative medicine retrieved a dozen of articles; 27 – 39 however, only few studies assessed the KAP of public, professionals, primary care physicians, and pharmacists. 27 , 30 – 32 , 36 The results of these studies suggest that CAM therapies, especially herb preparations and locally known therapies are used by a substantial number of patients, and public and professionals have positive attitudes toward CAM, identified some barriers against CAM, and have good knowledge in CAM, and further express to have more knowledge in CAM and support its integration into primary health care 27 , 30 – 32 , 36 and medical schools. 39 We found only one study from Kuwait that assessed KAP of CAM therapies among medical and pharmacy students.…”

Cupping therapy in Saudi Arabia: from control to integration

“…Interest in traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) has grown considerably in recent years not only among the public, but also among medical professions, decision makers, and researchers in Saudi Arabia. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 In the absence of a national survey, multiple regional surveys showed that TM use is ranging from 60 to 75%. 5 , 6 , 7 Religious healings, herbal medicine, cupping therapy, and the healing with honey are the leading four therapies respectively in TM in Saudi Arabia.…”

“… 5 , 6 , 7 Religious healings, herbal medicine, cupping therapy, and the healing with honey are the leading four therapies respectively in TM in Saudi Arabia. 1 , 6 There is no Traditional Healing System similar to China, Korea, Japan, or India. However, the term “Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine” (TAIM) is used in Saudi Arabia like other regional and Arab countries to refer to a group of healing therapies practiced in the Arab and Islamic world within the context of religious influences of Islam.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Non-Medical Students in Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Gharbiya Governorate, Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…During the last decade, the use of complementary medicine has increased in both developing and developed countries [2]. Globalization has led to intercultural exchanges and widespread use of techniques and therapeutic T&CM products often unknown to local communities [3]. …”