KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ON COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19

Abstract

People are more likely to seek information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for self-treatment to reduce the COVID-19 symptoms or for prevention. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of CAMassociated with COVID-19 among adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 503 respondents using an online questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and descriptive statistics were applied. A Chi-squared test was used to determine the association between KAP status and socio-demographic factors. The findings indicated that the majority of respondents had moderate knowledge score (60%) and practice (55.9%), but a high attitude (80%) towards CAM related to COVID-19. There is a significant association between age, ethnics, and employment status and knowledge level on CAM (p < 0.05) and also between educational level and attitude level on CAM associated with COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there is a significant association between practice level and age, race, educational level, and employment status on CAM associated with COVID-19. The present findings indicated that 73.4% of the respondents used CAM in the past 6 months to reduce or prevent symptoms of COVID-19, with most of them (51.3%) taking more than two types. In conclusion, adults in Malaysia have moderate knowledge and practice, but a high attitude towards CAM associated with COVID-19. We also postulate that respondents are more open to evidence regarding the CAM associated with COVID-19 and ready to adopt the modalities as part of integrated medicine.