Zeynep Güngörmüş1, Emine Kiyak. 1. Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. gungormusz@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out as a descriptive study in order to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of individuals who suffer from pain towards complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). METHODS: The research was applied to 535 adult individuals suffering from pain who visited a family health center in Erzurum between September 5 and November 30, 2010. The data were collected using a questionnaire form and evaluated by computer analysis. RESULTS: 42.4% of the individuals mentioned that they use CAM in order to eliminate pain, 83.7% stated that the method they app- lied eliminated their pain, and 39.6% used CAM based on a recommendation. It was observed that 95.5% of the participants believed that positive thinking helps them recover from their minor diseases, 91.6% believed that it is necessary to perform more scientific tests on CAM, 65.6% believed that CAM may be dangerous, 68.4% believed that CAM may be used as a last resort, 93.6% believed that they are likely to be ill due to a range of stressful events, 61.9% believed that it is worthless to try CAM before seeing a doc- tor, 68.2% believed that CAM should not be used for serious diseases, and 76.3% believed that CAM helps the permanent treatment by strengthening the body's own defense. CONCLUSION: It was determined that people who suffer from the pain apply for modern medical treatment and have a positive attitude towards CAM.
OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out as a descriptive study in order to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of individuals who suffer from pain towards complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). METHODS: The research was applied to 535 adult individuals suffering from pain who visited a family health center in Erzurum between September 5 and November 30, 2010. The data were collected using a questionnaire form and evaluated by computer analysis. RESULTS: 42.4% of the individuals mentioned that they use CAM in order to eliminate pain, 83.7% stated that the method they app- lied eliminated their pain, and 39.6% used CAM based on a recommendation. It was observed that 95.5% of the participants believed that positive thinking helps them recover from their minor diseases, 91.6% believed that it is necessary to perform more scientific tests on CAM, 65.6% believed that CAM may be dangerous, 68.4% believed that CAM may be used as a last resort, 93.6% believed that they are likely to be ill due to a range of stressful events, 61.9% believed that it is worthless to try CAM before seeing a doc- tor, 68.2% believed that CAM should not be used for serious diseases, and 76.3% believed that CAM helps the permanent treatment by strengthening the body's own defense. CONCLUSION: It was determined that people who suffer from the pain apply for modern medical treatment and have a positive attitude towards CAM.
Authors: Mahlagha Dehghan; Zakieh Namjoo; Mahlasadat Jafari; Ghazaleh Kordestani; Nazanin Tabebordbar; Fatemeh Payam; Mohammad Ali Zakeri; Sima Mokhtarabadi Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-08-15