Awareness and attitudes toward traditional and complementary medicine among community-dwelling individuals in Türkiye: a cross-sectional online survey

Abstract Background As traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) becomes increasingly widespread, assessing the awareness and attitudes of community-dwelling individuals is essential to understand its current status and promote its rational use. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the awareness levels and attitudes of community-dwelling individuals in Türkiye regarding T&CM practices. Methods This cross-sectional online survey included 1375 individuals residing in the community across Türkiye. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire via Google Forms™, including items on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, opinions, and experiences with T&CM. Attitudes were assessed using the Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Medicine Attitude Scale (CACMAS). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of attitudes. Results The most recognized T&CM practices were massage (91.13%), wet cupping (84.51%), and medicinal leech therapy (80.29%). Overall, 31.78% received T&CM information from healthcare professionals, 22.25% used it, and 60.73% recommended it. The mean CACMAS score was 108.78 ± 19.51, differing significantly by age ( p = 0.004). T&CM usage varied by age, marital status (both p < 0.001), education ( p = 0.006), and chronic disease ( p = 0.004). Receiving T&CM information from professionals was associated with age ( p = 0.029), education ( p = 0.007), and perceived health ( p = 0.023). Multiple linear regression revealed that increasing age ( p = 0.006), female gender ( p = 0.011), marital status ( p = 0.049), and previous T&CM experience ( p < 0.001) independently predicted favorable attitudes, whereas education ( p = 0.945) and chronic disease ( p = 0.218) lost significance. Conclusion Although T&CM usage rates are relatively low, community-dwelling individuals in Türkiye exhibit generally favorable attitudes. These attitudes are independently shaped by specific sociodemographic factors, such as age and gender, rather than education or chronic disease. These findings may provide the basis for the rational use of T&CM and highlight the importance of further studies that take cultural and regional diversity into account.