Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nutrition among Complementary Alternative Medicine Users

The demand for complementary alternative medicine (CAM) has been increasing in both developed and developing countries. A recent survey indicated that (69.4%) of Malaysians have used various forms of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) and that (55.6%) had used TCM during the twelve months prior to the study. However, health professionals still lack knowledge of CAM. Furthermore, most findings related to TCM therapies are difficult to assess due to an abundance of variables. Thus, the main objective of this study is to investigate knowledge and attitudes towards CAM as well as nutritional practices and the prevalence of CAM utilization in Johor. The cities of Batu Pahat and Kluang were selected by using a random sampling technique. Self administrated questionnaires with close ended questions were distributed to sixty adult males and sixty adult females. Our questionnaire was divided into five sections including socio demographic data, the prevalent utilization of CAM, as well as nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices. This study revealed a relatively high use of massage therapy (54.2%) when compared to other types of CAM. Expenditures for CAM products and practitioner fees (per visit) were less than RM 500 during the prior twelve months. Treatment for illnesses was the main purpose for CAM use and musculoskeletal problems were the main health complaints. ̳Fewer side effects‘ were also cited as the main reason for patient useo f CAM. In addition, average scores for nutritional knowledge (52%) and practices (65.8%) among CAM users were at nominally satisfactory levels while ̳nutrition attitudes‘ scored higher (73.9%). Women showed greater nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices and thus, scored higher than men: (p<0.001). However, we discovered no significant relationship between nutritional knowledge and socio-economic characteristics (p>0.05). There does, however, appear to be positive correlations between ̳nutritional knowledge‘ and attitudes (r=0.496, p<0.001),as well as practices (r=0.427, p<0.001).