Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Its Association with Quality of Life among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Table 2
Prevalence and characteristics of CAM use in the study population ().
Variables about CAM use
Frequency (%)
CAM use
Yes
154 (79%)
No
41 (21%)
Source of information about CAM
Families, friends, and relatives
71 (46.1%)
Health care professionals
4 (2.6%)
Media (internet, television, radio, and book)
14 (9.1%)
Patients using CAM
59 (38.3%)
Others
6 (3.9%)
Reasons for CAM use
Belief in advantages of CAM
36 (23.4%)
Family tradition/culture
20 (13%)
Emotional support
17 (11%)
Boosting immune system
13 (8.4%)
Prevention of recurrence
8 (5.2%)
Dissatisfaction with conventional therapy
23 (14.9%)
Synergic effect of conventional therapy
8 (5.2%)
Decrease side effect of conventional therapy
9 (5.8%)
Treatment of other medical problems
15 (9.7%)
Others
5 (3.2%)
Reasons for not using CAM among nonusers
Lack of belief in the benefits of CAM
16 (39%)
The doctor did not prescribe CAM
6 (14.6%)
Afraid of side effect
13 (31.7%)
Never heard of CAM
2 (4.9%)
Additional burden
4 (9.7%)
Consult with doctor about CAM use
No
122 (79.2%)
Yes
32 (20.8%)
Reason for not consulting with doctor
Anticipating negative response about CAM use
87 (56.5%)
Insufficient information of CAM
11 (7.1%)
No need to consult with doctor
13 (8.4%)
It was not important for doctor to know about my CAM use
