Traditional and complementary medicine use and beliefs during COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-sectional survey among the general population in Turkey

Abstract

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a universal psychosocial impact and individuals exposed to threats prefer to try self-care interventions and adhere to non-conventional approaches such as traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) for preventive purposes. This study was conducted to determine the use and belief about T&CM among the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. Method A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among the general population (aged ≥ 18 years) of Adana, Turkey during the strict lockdown period (April 11 to April 30, 2020). The survey instrument included details about sociodemographic characteristics, general information, T&CM use and beliefs was distributed among eligible participants via social media channels (Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook accounts). Results Out of the total 389 participants, almost 39.3% (n=153) of the participants were the T&CM user and 60.7% were non-T&CM user during COVID-19 in this study. Additionally, 61 (39.8%) participants reported the usage of more than one form of T&CM modalities. Most of them used herbal medicine (30.8%), followed by nutritional supplements/vitamins (23.8%). Around 33.9% (n=52 out of 153 T&CM user) of participants did not report T&CM use to their family physicians. A statistically significant difference was observed between T&CM users and non-T&CM users in gender, age, marital status, level of education, income, and prior use of T&CM (p<0.05). Social media (n=204; 52.4%) was the primary source of information for T&CM use. Overall, 33.7%, 54.8% and 39% of the participants believed that T&CM therapies are effective, have fever side-effects/safe and should be use for COVID-19 respectively. Consclusion During the outbreak of COVID-19, a significant proportion of the population reported the use of T&CM. Different beliefs about T&CM were also observed. Better-structured T&CM-specific educational programs, enhanced physician-patient communication and access to reliable information by authentic sources are needed for the appropriate T&CM use during pandemics in Turkey.

Role of ethno-phytomedicine knowledge in healthcare of COVID-19: advances in traditional phytomedicine perspective

“…In Turkey, a cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 389 participants wherein 153 (39.3%) participants reported to have used traditional and complementary medicine during COVID-19, especially, as herbal medicines and nutritional supplements such as vitamins [ 61 ]. Medicinal plants such as Rosa canina L., Mentha × piperita L., Sambucus nigra L., Olea europaea L., Eucalyptus spp ., Melissa officinalis L., and Origanum vulgare L. have been used in Turkish folk medicine for centuries to treat flu and have been suggested for potential use in COVID-19 treatment [ 91 ].…”

“…In Turkey, a cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 389 participants wherein 153 (39.3%) participants reported to have used traditional and complementary medicine during COVID-19, especially, as herbal medicines and nutritional supplements such as vitamins [61].…”

Efficacy of the barley-based remedy, a Persian medicine formula, in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized patients: An open-labeled randomized controlled trial

“…Moreover, the advantages of the integration of Chinese herbal medicine with conventional medicine are increase the cure rate and reduce the illness severity, hospital stay and mortality rate of COVID-19 cases, which have been indicated in previous studies [9] . The universal psychosocial impact caused by COVID-19 has led to raising panic and fear among the general population, with many individuals have preferred to try non-conventional therapies such as complementary medicine [10] , [11] , [12] . The recent cross- sectional study in Turkey proved the tendency of applying traditional and complementary medicine among general population, So, that almost 40% of the participants reported the usage of the traditional and complementary medicine.…”

“…The recent cross- sectional study in Turkey proved the tendency of applying traditional and complementary medicine among general population, So, that almost 40% of the participants reported the usage of the traditional and complementary medicine. A significant proportion of believed that these modalities have fewer side-effects, are effective, and should be used for managing COVID-19 [12] . Another research in Iran indicated that 84% of general population applied at least one type of complementary and alternative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic [13] .…”

Integrative health needs to engage with effective public health interventions on merit, not oppose them on them on principle

“…As we near the end of the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of traditional, complementary and integrative health (TCIH) on COVID-19, and the impact of COVID-19 on TCIH, has been a focus of the journal. In this issue alone, we have multiple articles examining the way that TCIH practitioners and practices have adapted and evolved to meet the challenges of the pandemic [33] , [34] , [35] . Last year we published a special issue which included a series of articles examining the evidence for the potential role of traditional, complementary and integrative treatments in addressing COVID-19 [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , as well as a guide to assist others critically appraise future studies of TCIM interventions [12] .…”