Public knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia

Background and aim: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is commonly practiced, and Makkah city being a religious site has more diversity and access to it, which should be addressed and measured. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of various CAM practices in the population of Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A web-based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using a previously validated questionnaire which was translated in Arabic and thereafter distributed via electronic links to the target population. Results: A total of 437 responses were collected fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The participants were ranged from 18 to more than 50 years old, 89.2% of them were females and 95.4% were Saudi. A total of 347 participants had knowledge about CAM and it was observed to be higher among females 80.5% compared to the males 70.2%. 67.5% of the participants reported using CAM and the most reported source of knowledge was family/friends (62.5%), followed by social media (52.2%). 42.9% agreed that CAM is better than conventional medicine for treatment, and 42.8% concurred that it’s safe to use without consulting a medical practitioner. 82.4% think CAM is effective for treatment, and 67.5% regard CAM as safe for use. Conclusion: CAM is widely favored by the citizens of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Its high prevalence and increased use indicate the need for credible sources to ensure accurate and safe utilization among the citizens.