Traditional and complementary medicine use and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the attitude and behaviour of patients who applied to a family health centre during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) applications and the factors related to their usage. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic information and frequency, behaviours regarding the use of TCM during the pandemic was administered to individuals over the age of 18 who were admitted to family health centres, located in two socioeconomically different districts of Istanbul. The data were analysed in the SPSS 22, and the p-value was set as 0.05. Results: A total of 352 participants were recruited. The use of TCM during the pandemic period was 36.3% in Üsküdar and 26.8 % in Sancaktepe, and traditional herbal product use was high in both districts at 87% and 90.9%, respectively. The use of non-prescription vitamins and supplements were about 1.7 times greater in Üsküdar. In total, 73.7% of the participants stated that they used at least three products, and 57% of them used 5 products. The reasons for using TCM were similar in both districts; however, chronic disease and old age were reported only in the Üsküdar district. A total of 25% of the total participants stopped their current medications when they started the use of TCM, and 51.7% did not receive information about the side effects of TCM. The use of TCM in those with university education was higher than that in the other groups. Conclusion: TCM use was high during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with herbal products and supplements.