Psycho-Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Selected Rural Communities in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study |
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| Authors: | Kurubaran Ganasegeran Anantha Kumar Rajendran Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Medical Department, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR), Jalan Langat, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.; 2. International Medical School, Management and Science University (MSU), Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.; 3. Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.; The National Institute for Health Innovation, New Zealand, |
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| Abstract: | IntroductionThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a source of cure has gained much spectrum worldwide, despite skeptics and advocates of evidence-based practice conceptualized such therapies as human nostrum.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the factors affecting CAM use among rural communities in Malaysia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out on 288 occupants across four rural villages within the District of Selama, Perak, Malaysia. A survey that consisted of socio-economic characteristics, history of CAM use and the validated Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ) were used.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported CAM use over the past one year was 53.1%. Multiple logistic regression analyses yielded three significant predictors of CAM use: monthly household income of less than MYR 2500, higher education level, and positive attitude towards CAM.ConclusionPsycho-socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with CAM use among rural communities in Malaysia. |
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