Public knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] is well established worldwide. The present work is aimed at studying the knowledge, attitude and practice of CAM by the people of Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional descriptive household survey study of the people living in Riyadh city, as well as the surrounding governorates. A multistage random sample was taken from 1[st] January to the end of March 2010, with a total number of 518 participants. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through direct interview. The data was collected based on socio-demography, as well as knowledge, attitude and practice of CAM. Participants were nearly sex-matched, consisting of approximately 70% Saudi and 30% non-Saudis. About 89% of the participants had some knowledge of CAM. Mass media e.g. [T.V., newspapers and radio] and family, relatives and friends represented the main sources of CAM knowledge, [46.5% and 46.3% respectively]. Nearly 85% of participants or one of their family members has used some form of CAM before, and the most common users of CAM practices were females, housewives, and illiterate subjects [or those who could just read and write], as well as participants aged 60 years and above. Medical herbs [58.89%], prayer [54%], honey and bee products [54%], hijama [35.71%] and cauterization or medical massage therapy [22%] were the commonly used CAM practices. Most participants agreed that there are needs for; CAM practices [93.8%], regulations for CAM [94.9%], health education [96.6%], specialized centers [94.8%] and CAM clinics [92.7%]. While only 8.3% of participants usually discussed CAM with their physicians. There is a high prevalence and increased public interest in CAM use in the Riyadh region. There is a positive attitude towards CAM, yet most participants are reluctant to share and discuss CAM information with their physicians