University Students' Attitudes Towards Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 112 - 121, 03.09.2024

Merve Ebrar Uluğ , Abdurrahman Yunus Sarıyıldız , Selin Kalender , Aslı Metin

https://doi.org/10.53811/ijtcmr.1435641

Abstract

Objective= This study investigates how university students, a well-educated segment of society, perceive traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) practices and their level of healthy lifestyle skills, and how they are related. It also aims to determine whether students' healthy living skills influence their attitudes towards T&CM practices.
Methods= This descriptive and cross-sectional study focused on students enrolled in three state universities. A total of 362 student datasets were analyzed. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire comprising inquiries related to students' sociodemographic features, their familiarity with T&CM, the T&CM attitude scale, and the scale assessing their healthy living skills.
Results= The study's findings, the correlation coefficient between the total scores of the students from the T&CM Attitude Scale (114.80±17.95) and the Healthy Living Skills Scale (64.29±8.79) was calculated as r=0.127. There was a positive, statistically significant (p<0.001) but a very weak relationship between the scales. The regression analysis showed that a one-unit increase in the healthy living skills scale resulted in a 0.2-point increase in the T&CM attitude scale.
Conclusion= In the study was found students’ attitudes toward T&CM were positive but they lacked knowledge about it. Also, results revealed that the number of students who experienced T&CM's implementation was quite low. This research holds significance in uncovering the healthy living skills and attitudes toward T&CM among university students. Given their capacity to impact society through behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes, understanding these aspects is crucial for a comprehensive insight into the broader societal implications.

Keywords

Traditional and complementary medicine, healthy living skills, university student

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