BELIEFS AND PRACTICES TOWARDS COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) AMONG RESIDENTS OF AN URBAN AREA IN CHENGALPATTU DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU:A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) are the commonly available and utilised Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in India. Though the integration of CAM with Modern Medicine (MM) services was implemented, the occurrence of health-related events is yet to be interrupted and controlled due existing challenges. Lack of awareness about CAM is one of the major challenges.

Aim:

• To assess the beliefs, perceptions and practices of the study participants towards the CAM.

Setting: Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu

Study design: Community based cross – sectional study.

Participants: Individuals above 18 years of age residing in Maduranthakam.

Sample size: A sample of 298 study participants were selected using systematic random sampling.

Study variables: Demographic characteristics, knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding CAM.

Statistical analysis: Analysed by frequencies, percentages and chi – square test.

Results: 89.6% of the study participants were aware of CAMs available in India, out of which 49.7% were users of CAM and Siddha (48.6%) was the most commonly used CAM among users. 96 (32.2%) of them agreed that they would support the integration of CAM with MM for the improvement of healthcare coverage. The most common reason for preferring the CAM was mentioned as “no or less side effects” by 60 (40.5%) of users.

Conclusion: Though there was adequate awareness, positive attitude and utilization, a felt need for health education on risks and benefits of CAM is prevailing in the community.