The Use of Complementary Medicine and Its Relationship with Knowledge and Attitude of Patients with Chronic Diseases about It in Sina Medical Center, Tabriz, 1394

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Evidence shows the effectiveness of complementary medicine and its use in chronic diseases is increasing.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the abundance of using complementary medicine and its relation to knowledge and attitudes, in patients with chronic diseases referred to Tabriz Sina Medical Center which is conducted in 2015. Research Methodology: Current study is a descriptive - correlative study. Of 400 patients with chronic diseases who were referred to specialized clinics (cardiology, rheumatology, nephrology and endocrinology), Clinic of Traditional Medicine Center Sina, selected. Data collected using questionnaires of awareness and attitudes toward complementary medicine. Also, the number of patients used complementary medicine achieved. The SPSS version 21 software used for data analysis at the significant level 0.05. Findings: The results showed that herbal therapy (81%), praying therapy (36%) and water therapy (26%) were the most common items used by participants. As well as the awareness of the herbal therapy in health management is higher and energy therapy is lower compare to other aspects. The attitude toward the holistic health was better than attitude towards credit of complementary medicine. There was a significant positive correlation between awareness of complementary medicine and attitude. Furthermore, there was a correlation between attitude to holistic health. However, compare to the credit of complementary medicine it was reverse (P <.001). Variables of educational level, marital status, occupation, disease, habit of exercise had a significant correlation with knowledge about complementary medicine. The relationship between consumption of vegetables per week, and duration of disease was significantly inverse (p<.01). Conclusion: Results showed that participants used herbal therapy as precautionary. Participants with chronic diseases had higher knowledge about herbal therapy. Due to low awareness and poor attitude in other aspects in relation to credit of complementary medicine, education of patients about complementary medicine methods and its positive effects on health seems is necessary.