Psycho-socioeconomic factors affecting complementary and alternative medicine use among selected rural communities in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a source of cure has gained much spectrum worldwide, despite skeptics and advocates of evidence-based practice conceptualized such therapies as human nostrum.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the factors affecting CAM use among rural communities in Malaysia.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out on 288 occupants across four rural villages within the District of Selama, Perak, Malaysia. A survey that consisted of socio-economic characteristics, history of CAM use and the validated Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ) were used.


RESULTS
The prevalence of self-reported CAM use over the past one year was 53.1%. Multiple logistic regression analyses yielded three significant predictors of CAM use: monthly household income of less than MYR 2500, higher education level, and positive attitude towards CAM.


CONCLUSIONS
Psycho-socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with CAM use among rural communities in Malaysia.
Medical Department, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR), Jalan Langat, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia; International Medical School, Management and Science University (MSU), Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Kurubaran
K
Ganasegeran
International Medical School, Management and Science University (MSU), Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Anantha Kumar
AK
Rajendran
Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sami Abdo Radman
SA
Al-Dubai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult