Research Article
The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Lebanese Adults: Results from a National Survey
Table 1
Characteristics of CAM use among study respondents who reported using CAM product during the previous 12 months (
).
| | Characteristics of CAM use | (%) |
| | Types of CAM used | | | Folk Herbs | 336 (75) | | Natural Health Products | 142 (31.7) | | Folk Foods | 59 (13.2) | | Vitamins and Minerals | 17 (3.8) |
| | How often do you use the product? (n = 448) | | | Irregular use | 238 (53.1) | | Daily | 116 (25.9) | | More than once per week | 69 (15.4) | | Weekly | 25 (5.6) |
| | Why have you used CAM? (n = 433) | | | Flu | 131 (30.3) | | Digestion and stomach problems | 110 (25.4) | | To enhance energy | 87 (20.1) | | Enhancing immunity | 78 (18.0) | | Treatment of a chronic illness | 54 (12.5) | | Other | 53 (12.2) | | For slimming and weight loss | 47 (10.9) |
| What are the motives which led to use of CAM?
(n = 435) | | | Belief in advantages of complementary and alternative medicine practices | 332 (76.3) | | Trying because of a suggestion | 55 (12.6) | | Feeling of having no alternative | 36 (8.3) | | Disappointment from conventional medical therapy | 32 (7.4) | | Family traditions | 17 (3.9) | | Other | 13 (3) |
| | How did you hear about CAM? (n = 434) | | | Family tradition | 253 (58.3) | | Personal choice | 108 (24.9) | | Friends | 60 (13.8) | | Media | 56 (12.9) | | Health practitioner | 25 (5.8) | | Neighbors | 17 (3.9) | | Books | 11 (2.5) |
| | Were you satisfied with the CAM product you used? (n = 428) | | | Yes | 385 (90.0) | | No | 43 (10.0) |
| | If no, why? (n = 33) | | | There was no improvement or benefits | 27 (81.8) | | Caused side effects | 6 (18.2) |
| | Do you advise others to use the same CAM product? (n = 424) | | | Yes | 379 (89.4) | | No | 45 (10.6) |
| | Complementary or alternative to conventional medicine (n = 187) | | | Complementary | 246 (60.1%) | | Alternative | 163 (39.9%) |
| | Have you asked your doctor about the CAM product you used? (n = 437) | | | Yes | 124 (28.4) | | No | 313 (71.6) |
| | If no, why? (n = 276) | | | Do not like to go to doctors | 161 (58.3) | | CAM does not hurt | 42 (15.2) | | Doctors do not believe in CAM | 29 (10.5) | | There was no need | 26 (9.4) | | Other | 18 (6.5) |
| | How was the reaction of the physician? (n = 124) | | |
Encouraging | 98 (79.0) | | Not encouraging | 16 (12.9) | | Neutral | 10 (8.1) |
| Average monthly household spending
on CAM in Lebanese lira (n = 438) | 19,000 ± 32,000 |
|
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Percentages do not add to 100% because more than one answer was reported.
1 US$ is equivalent to 1,500 Lebanese liras.
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