Prevalence and Perspectives of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among University Students in Atlanta, Newcastle upon Tyne, and New Delhi

International college students' perceptions on complementary and alternative medical practices

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the complementary and alternative medicinal (CAM) choices of international college students in the U.S.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 192 international college students participated in this study.

METHODS

Participants completed a survey with demographic and background information, such as gender, age, years living in the U.S., country of origin, cultural and religious influences on health decision-making, CAM usage, and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory (CAMBI).

RESULTS

Results showed that there was a significant difference in CAMBI scores and age groups with those in the age groups of 20-29 and 30+ having higher CAMBI scores than those in the 18-19 age group. Participants had high scores on the CAMBI.

CONCLUSION

Overall, participants showed a wide range of CAM usage with most participants indicating a need for CAM options on university campuses.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Yoga in Rural and Urban India, KAPY 2017: A Nationwide Cluster Sample Survey

Background: To examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice gap of yoga across India based on implicit perceptions. Methods: The present study is a nationwide door-to-door survey conducted using a questionnaire/screening form. The data were collected from a national survey conducted under the Niyantrit Madhumeh Bharat (NMB) program initiated by The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy (AYUSH), Government of India, from all major zones of the country. A total of 162,330 participants who joined the NMB program were recruited in our study. Results: Out of the total respondents to the survey, it was observed that 11.8% [13,336/112,735] practice yoga, which was highest in the north zone [4,567/112,735] and lowest in the east zone [971/112,735]. Out of 101,643 respondents, 94,135 of the individuals who participated in the survey believed that yoga improved their lifestyle, and 90,102/98,518 believed that yoga prevented diabetes, revealing a huge knowledge–practice gap. Conclusions: The scale of the knowledge–practice gap coupled with the general acceptability of yoga calls for a change in the conventional healthcare provisions by its integration with modern medicine. The population-wide positive perceptions about yoga as a preventive health tool can not only catalyze consensus disease-specific yoga modules but also bridge the knowledge–practice gap that exists because of limited yoga centers and professionals.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Korean Young Adult Members of Fitness Centers

In general, the pattern and perception of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in young people are little known. Particularly, given South Korea's dual health care system that includes both Korean traditional medicine and Western medicine, young adults in South Korea may be unique for the study of CAM use. Accordingly, this study investigated the modality, purpose, and perceptions of CAM use among young adults in South Korea and determined the predictors of CAM use. In addition, reasons for CAM use were compared to those for exercise. A survey was conducted among 649 young members of fitness centers (aged 20-39 years). The structured written questionnaire included the questions related to use of 30 CAM modalities, satisfaction with CAM use, factors associated with CAM use, reasons for exercise and CAM use, and perceptions of CAM. The most common therapies used in lifetime were acupuncture, massage, moxibustion/cupping, yoga, and diet-based therapies. The most satisfied therapy was massage followed by aroma therapy. The main reasons for using CAM were to relieve musculoskeletal pains while those for doing exercise were to lose weight, to promote health, and to have a positive body image. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher education level, having a religion, and having a health problem were significant independent predictors of CAM use after controlling for other factors. The majority of respondents reported "relief of pain and symptoms" as the perceived effect of CAM and "lack of advertising" as the weakness of CAM. The majority of respondents got CAM information from mass media and Internet. In conclusion, CAM use is significantly associated with education level, religious status, and health status in Korean young adult members of fitness centers. The main purposes of utilizing CAM and performing exercise are different.