Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.

<h4>Objectives</h4>Influenza poses a major health challenge due to its variability and pandemic potential, making prevention crucial. The study aimed to explore the link between influenza vaccination and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among Palestinian adults, alo...

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Main Authors: Dala N Daraghmeh, Ahmad Salah, Nasim Hamdan, Abdallah Zamareh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320412
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author Dala N Daraghmeh
Ahmad Salah
Nasim Hamdan
Abdallah Zamareh
author_facet Dala N Daraghmeh
Ahmad Salah
Nasim Hamdan
Abdallah Zamareh
author_sort Dala N Daraghmeh
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Objectives</h4>Influenza poses a major health challenge due to its variability and pandemic potential, making prevention crucial. The study aimed to explore the link between influenza vaccination and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among Palestinian adults, along with factors influencing vaccination rates. It also evaluated participants' attitudes towards CAM and beliefs regarding herbal and vitamin use for influenza management.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study was carried out between 18/02/2024 and 23/04/2024, during which a self-administered online questionnaire was shared through social media and personal communication. This questionnaire was aimed at all adults aged 18 and above. Both descriptive and regression analyses were performed.<h4>Results</h4>The study included 363 participants, revealing an influenza vaccination rate of only 9%. A significant correlation was found between manipulative, body-based methods, mind-body medicine, and vaccination status (P-value<0.05), while no significant relationship was noted with herbal remedies or alternative medical systems. Higher income and better health status were linked to increased vaccination likelihood (P-value<0.05), indicating a need for targeted public health campaigns. Although 63% of participants were familiar with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), 34% had never used it for influenza, highlighting a knowledge gap. Popular natural remedies like Vitamin C, ginger, and honey reflect a trend toward preventive healthcare despite concerns over costs and skepticism about CAM's effectiveness.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by multiple factors, including context and types of CAM use. Cultural beliefs and personal health philosophies significantly shape attitudes toward CAM use and vaccination.
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spelling doaj-art-2e74310272f24a9ca5331d46a2a8655e2025-08-20T03:22:22ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01207e032041210.1371/journal.pone.0320412Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.Dala N DaraghmehAhmad SalahNasim HamdanAbdallah Zamareh<h4>Objectives</h4>Influenza poses a major health challenge due to its variability and pandemic potential, making prevention crucial. The study aimed to explore the link between influenza vaccination and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among Palestinian adults, along with factors influencing vaccination rates. It also evaluated participants' attitudes towards CAM and beliefs regarding herbal and vitamin use for influenza management.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study was carried out between 18/02/2024 and 23/04/2024, during which a self-administered online questionnaire was shared through social media and personal communication. This questionnaire was aimed at all adults aged 18 and above. Both descriptive and regression analyses were performed.<h4>Results</h4>The study included 363 participants, revealing an influenza vaccination rate of only 9%. A significant correlation was found between manipulative, body-based methods, mind-body medicine, and vaccination status (P-value<0.05), while no significant relationship was noted with herbal remedies or alternative medical systems. Higher income and better health status were linked to increased vaccination likelihood (P-value<0.05), indicating a need for targeted public health campaigns. Although 63% of participants were familiar with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), 34% had never used it for influenza, highlighting a knowledge gap. Popular natural remedies like Vitamin C, ginger, and honey reflect a trend toward preventive healthcare despite concerns over costs and skepticism about CAM's effectiveness.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by multiple factors, including context and types of CAM use. Cultural beliefs and personal health philosophies significantly shape attitudes toward CAM use and vaccination.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320412
spellingShingle Dala N Daraghmeh
Ahmad Salah
Nasim Hamdan
Abdallah Zamareh
Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.
PLoS ONE
title Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.
title_full Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.
title_fullStr Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.
title_full_unstemmed Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.
title_short Attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use: Influenza vaccine intake.
title_sort attitudes beliefs and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine use influenza vaccine intake
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320412
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AT nasimhamdan attitudesbeliefsandpracticesregardingcomplementaryandalternativemedicineuseinfluenzavaccineintake
AT abdallahzamareh attitudesbeliefsandpracticesregardingcomplementaryandalternativemedicineuseinfluenzavaccineintake