Dietary and non-dietary complementary and alternative medicine use in Saudi Arabia: the differential role of associated factors

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. However, there is currently a lack of analysis of disaggregated data on CAM use. This study predicts the likelihood of CAM use, particularly dietary or non-dietary supplements, based on patients’ socioeconomic characteristics, clinical conditions, and motivations for use. A clearer understanding of these dynamics will enable healthcare providers to align evidence-based guidance with patients’ preferences and needs. This cross-sectional study was conducted in oncology departments to investigate the use of CAM, both dietary and non-dietary supplements, among cancer patients. We utilized validated instruments to record specific therapies and non-mainstream practices that patients used. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize the variables of interest, while we categorized CAM usage into dietary and non-dietary supplements. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the association between CAM use, demographic, socioeconomic factors, clinical profiles, and motivations or reasons for use, while examining whether educational attainment moderates the influence of social beliefs and gender on CAM use. More than three-quarters (79%) of patients reported CAM use; 69% used dietary supplements, 71% used non-dietary supplements, and 62.5% used both. Patients with intermediate or secondary education were about twice as likely to use dietary and non-dietary supplements concurrently as those without formal education (OR = 2.15, 95% CI, 1.04-4.46, p = 0.04). By contrast, monthly income > $1,600 (vs. < $800) and having a hematologic malignancy were associated with lower odds of concurrently using dietary and non-dietary supplement use (OR = 0.58, 95% CI, 0.35-0.98, p = 0.04 & OR = 0.58, 95% CI, 0.35-0.98, p = 0.03). Women were twice as likely as men to use dietary supplements (OR = 2.17, 95% CI, 1.16-4.08, p = 0.02). Mood improvement was a strong motivator, where patients reporting this reason were more likely to use dietary supplements (OR = 2.67, 95% CI 1.26-5.66, p = 0.01) or non-dietary supplements (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.04-5.53, p = 0.04). Patients aged >50 years were less likely to use non-dietary supplements than younger patients (OR = 0.39, 95% CI, 0.17-0.90, p = 0.03). Educational attainment did not moderate the influence of social beliefs and gender on CAM use. CAM use was highly prevalent and significantly predicted by socioeconomic factors, clinical profiles, and mood improvement as a motivation for use. There is a need for integrating proactive CAM use screening that addresses gender , age , and diagnosis specific patterns of CAM use and risks. Future studies that investigate patients’ decision-making and evaluate the safety and efficacy of commonly and locally used CAM supplements.