Insight of Al Hijamah Therapy among Allopathic Doctors of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Aims and objectives: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses all forms of therapies that fall outside the mainstream of medical practice. Wet cupping, also known as Al Hijamah therapy, is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a prominent area within the realm of alternative medicine. Its increasing awareness among general population and misconceptions among allopathic doctors, highlights the need to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of physicians regarding this therapy to promote it effectively and safely in Pakistan.  Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January 2021 to Dec 2022 among allopathic doctors practicing in various hospitals and private clinics of Karachi, Pakistan. The survey was carried out using both hard copy and online questionnaire, which includes four sections: socio-demographics, knowledge of physicians toward cupping therapy, physicians’ attitudes toward therapy, and physicians’ practice toward al hijama therapy. IBM-SPSS version 23.0 was used for data analysis.  Results: Out of the 182 responses, 96.7% of the physicians were aware of al Hijamah therapy, 72% expressed a desire to acquire knowledge, 56.6% undergone this therapy and tend to integrate this therapy into their clinical practices. However only 34.8% of the physicians referred their patients to Hijamah therapists.  Conclusion: Our research findings suggest that physicians have a sound understanding of al hijama therapy and maintain a positive outlook toward it. Despite their proficiency in this field, physicians encounter obstacles in effectively employing, recommending, or referring patients to this therapy. This study also underscores the importance of integrating CAM education into the medical curricula to address existing knowledge gaps and promote its safe and effective use.