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Table 2 Use Related CAM Knowledge

From: A cross-sectional assessment of knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine among pharmacy and non-pharmacy university students

Statement (correct answer)

Use related CAM knowledge

p-value

Correct

In-correct

Don’t know

 

Herbal medicine is natural and therefore is safe, without side effects (in-correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

296 (67.7%)

122 (27.9%)

19 (4.3%)

0.0005**

 Non-pharmacy (500)

380 (76.0%)

75 (15.0%)

45 (9.0%)

 

Mulethi is commonly used herb for mild to moderate sore throat and cough (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

324 (74.1%)

20 (4.6%)

93 (21.3%)

0.060

 Non-pharmacy (500)

336 (67.2%)

33 (6.6%)

131 (26.2%)

 

Mulethi may cause drug-herb interactions (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

103 (23.6%)

74 (16.9%)

260 (59.5%)

0.117

 Non-pharmacy (500)

116 (23.2%)

113 (22.6%)

271 (54.2%)

 

Joshanda is commonly used for cold and flu symptoms (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

403 (92.2%)

11 (2.5%)

23 (5.3%)

0.004*

 Non-pharmacy (500)

422 (88.4%)

36 (7.2%)

22 (4.4%)

 

Long-term use of Joshanda and mulethi may be harmful (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

161 (36.9%)

103 (23.6%)

172 (39.4%)

0.007*

 Non-pharmacy (500)

155 (31.0%)

164 (32.8%)

181 (36.2%)

 

Garlic can lower blood lipid level (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

297 (68.0%)

26 (5.9%)

114 (26.1%)

0.0005**

 Non-pharmacy (500)

259 (51.8%)

43 (8.6%)

198 (39.6%)

 

Ginseng can be used safely in people with high blood pressure (in-correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

93 (21.3%)

32 (7.3%)

312 (71.4%)

0.095

 Non-pharmacy (500)

79 (15.8%)

41 (8.2%)

380 (76.0%)

 

Ginkgo biloba is commonly used in people with Alzheimer’s disease (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

88 (20.1%)

28 (6.4%)

321 (73.5%)

0.009*

 Non-pharmacy (500)

65 (13.0%)

42 (8.4%)

393 (78.6%)

 

Acupuncture can be used to decrease withdrawal symptoms and relieve pain (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

276 (63.2%)

40 (9.2%)

121 (27.7%)

0.0005**

 Non-pharmacy (500)

185 (37.0%)

47 (9.4%)

268 (53.6%)

 

Chiropractic specializes in spinal manipulation and is used to treat low-back pain (correct).

 Pharmacy (437)

157 (35.9%)

34 (7.8%)

246 (56.3%)

0.003*

 Non-pharmacy (500)

126 (25.2%)

41 (8.2%)

333 (66.6%)

 
  1. p-values: * 0.05–0.002, ** < 0.002
  2. CAM complementary and alternative medicine