Author:
Abbassian Alireza,Abbaassi Mohammad Hossein,Pouraskari Zahra,Alaedini Farshid,Abbasi-Ghahramanloo Abbas,Emaratkar Elham,Ayati Mohammad Hossein,Khadem Ebrahim,Shirzad Meysam,Tabarrai Malihe,Choopani Rasool,Tansaz Mojgan,Sadighi Jila,Rezaeizadeh Hossein,Akhondzadeh Shahin,Khodadoost Mahmood
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Previous researches conducted in both developed and developing countries have demonstrated a rising trend in the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine. The World Health Organization has underscored the importance of studying the prevalence and determinants of such alternative practices. This study delves into the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Iranian adults towards Persian medicine, a distinct form of complementary and alternative medicine, through a national survey for the first time.
Methods
A total of 2882 Iranian adults (aged ≥ 15 years) were randomly chosen from all regions. Data were gathered through structured door-to-door interviews using a survey questionnaire, wherein cases were selected randomly based on postal codes, and interviewers completed the forms at the participants’ residences.
Results
Approximately 46% of the subjects exhibited familiarity with Persian Medicine. The study revealed that the primary sources of knowledge about Persian Medicine were family, relatives, and friends, with only 2.9% indicating medical staff as their source of information. Furthermore, the study indicated that 21% of participants expressed a strong interest in using Persian Medicine, while 30.3% did not. When comparing Persian medicine to modern medicine, respondents indicated that Persian medicine is more cost-effective and has fewer side effects, yet modern medicine is more widely used globally; although, the majority responded “I don’t know” to other questions. The results also demonstrated that approximately 37% of the participants had a history of Persian Medicine utilization in their lifetime.
Conclusion
This study revealed that Iranian adults have low reliable knowledge (from medical staff, Persian medicine books and other publications) and limited familiarity with Persian medicine, with about one third of the participants expressing disinterest (attitude) and over half of them having not utilized this form of medicine (practice).
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference31 articles.
1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Alternative or Integrative: What’s in a name? 2018 [updated 20 April 2018. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health#cvsa.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Global atlas of traditional medicine: Proceedings of an international meeting, 17–19 June 2003. Kobe, Japan: WHO. 2004.
3. Harris PE, Cooper K, Relton C, Thomas K. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by the general population: a systematic review and update. Int J Clin Pract. 2012;66(10):924–39.
4. Kumar D, Bajaj S, Mehrotra R. Knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicines for diabetes. Public Health. 2006;120(8):705–11.
5. Yeo AS, Yeo JC, Yeo C, Lee CH, Lim LF, Lee TL. Perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine amongst medical students in Singapore–a survey. Acupunct Med. 2005;23(1):19–26.