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Cross-sectional survey on complementary and alternative medicine awareness among health care professionals and students using CHBQ questionnaire in a Balkan country

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Abstract

Objective

To conduct a study on attitudes, knowledge, and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in Serbia. Available data about CAM therapies in the region are scarce, opinions lacking from health sector. Balkan region countries had a delay in issuing national policies on CAM therapies.

Methods

The questionnaire used was based on previously validated CAM Health Belief Questionnaire (CHBQ), formulated as 5-item Likert type scale, adjusted for local environment. Health care students and professionals were evaluated. The questionnaire comprehended 10 closed questions on attitudes, knowledge and use of CAM therapies. This survey was conducted in eight cities of Serbia, January 2010–July 2011. A total of 797 participants was included. The second group of participants was 145 healthcare professionals (50 academic staff, 64 clinical staff, 19 pharmacists, 6 other clinical branch specialists and 6 nurses). Data were collected by an interview. Examinees could acquire maximum of 70 points, 35 representing neutral attitude.

Results

Students of dentistry (54.65±6.07) were better informed on CAM therapies than medicine students (50.26±7.92). Pharmacy students (51.16±7.10) accepted low-scientific CAM. Pharmacists scored better than university professors (55.12±6.55 vs. 50.29±9.50). Primary health care professionals had better awareness than pharmacists in dispensing pharmacies. Both groups of participants preferred use of vitamins over any other CAM therapy.

Conclusion

These pioneering efforts in the region exposed weaknesses in CAM attitudes of current and future health care professionals. Nevertheless, awareness on alternative medicine treatment choices is growing among Balkan prescribers. Supportive legal framework would facilitate dissemination of CAM medical practices.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia

    Mihajlo B. Jakovljevic

  2. Su Djok, Balkan Su Jok Therapy Center, Cacak, Serbia

    Vera Djordjevic

  3. Department of Pharmacy, The Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia

    Veroljub Markovic, Olivera Milovanovic & Snezana M. Cupara

  4. Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia

    Nemanja K. Rancic

  5. Graduate School of Economics, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan

    Mihajlo B. Jakovljevic

Authors
  1. Mihajlo B. Jakovljevic
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  2. Vera Djordjevic
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  3. Veroljub Markovic
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  4. Olivera Milovanovic
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  5. Nemanja K. Rancic
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  6. Snezana M. Cupara
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mihajlo B. Jakovljevic.

Additional information

Supported by the Grant from Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia (No. OI 175014)

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Jakovljevic, M.B., Djordjevic, V., Markovic, V. et al. Cross-sectional survey on complementary and alternative medicine awareness among health care professionals and students using CHBQ questionnaire in a Balkan country. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 19, 650–655 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-013-1434-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-013-1434-6

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