Relationships Between Religious Affiliation and Attitudes Towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Health Consciousness in the Polish General Population

Research indicates that at the root of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use there are a person’s worldview, health-related convictions, religiosity, and religious affiliation. The goal of the present study was to determine the relationships of religious affiliation with attitudes toward CAM and the use of CAM, and health consciousness in the Polish general population. A total of 599 participants (included 57.1% Catholics, 24.5% non-practicing, 16.1% atheists, and 2.3% declared other religions) were surveyed using Polish adaptations of Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Attitudes Scale and Health Consciousness Scale. Results showed that religious affiliation differentiated attitudes toward CAM, the use of CAM, and health consciousness. Catholics displayed more positive attitudes toward CAM and lower health consciousness than atheists. Non-practicing persons were more likely to use Body & Mind Medicine and Energy Healing compared to Catholics or atheists. The study shows that it is necessary to consider non-medical factors (such as religious affiliation, beliefs, and attitudes) in designing prevention and treatment and in maintaining a proper doctor–patient relationship.