title: A cross-sectional study on knowledge and attitude toward Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) among adults in selected regions of Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge and attitude of adult Malaysians about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to understand the variation in the knowledge and attitude toward TCM among different demographic groups of adult Malaysian population and to determine the pattern of TCM use among adult Malaysians.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey using the convenience sampling method. A total of 400 adult Malaysians were recruited for this study. An interview-administered questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to analyze the data. The reliability of survey data in this study may affect since closed-ended questions are used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The more commonly utilized therapy was herbal medicine (n=192, 82.1%), acupuncture (n=79, 33.8%) and oriental massage (n=58, 24.8%). The mean knowledge score and mean attitude score for the respondents were 5.00±1.71 and 7.17±2.10 respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean knowledge score between genders, among TCM users and non-TCM users, people of different education levels and ethnicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were more TCM users than non-TCM users and the use of TCM was higher in females than males. The most popularly used TCM modalities were herbal medicines and acupuncture. Gender, education, ethnicity and use of TCM had a significant effect on adults' knowledge toward TCM.
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Kingston
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajiah
authors.forename: Sajesh Kalkandi
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Veettil
authors.forename: Ng Sze
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires