The effective factors and condition of biological and alternative/complemantary medical treatment using in adults 18 years and older in gaziantep/oğuzeli district

Irrational using of conventional medical drugs is common in Turkey as it is common in the world. These conventional drugs has been used from the beginning of humanity and and using of these drugs are increasing day by day in Turkey and in the world. This study aimed to determine the usage of biological medical drugs and appliance of alternative/complemantary medicine practises and factors affecting these behaviours on adults 18 years and older residing Oğuzeli/Gaziantep. 406 people 18 years and older and living in Oğuzeli district participated in this study. A questionnaire including 38 question was applied via face-to-face meeting method. Frequency distributions, student's t test and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Usage of drugs without prescription/doctor consent was 33.2% among participiants, 24.4% had drugs by prescription although they were not needed. Participants declared that they trowed the unneeded drugs (37.4 %), kept them in a safe stash to use them in the future 17.5 % and, gave them to a health facility (16.7%). In this study frequency of having chronic disease among participants was 30% (hypertension, asthma, and diabetes mellitus being the most frequent ones). Health perception among participants was good for 54.7%, moderate for 23.9%, very good for 12.8%. Ever usage of was alternative/complemantary medical practises among participants was 29.8%, while it was 8.4% in the last one year. Most used methods were going to thermal springs, going to bonesetters and herbal treatment. Main aim of using alternative/complemantary medical practises among participants was, chronic extremity pains (39.6%), extremity strains (27.2%), respiratory system disorders 7.4%. Main reason for using alternative/complemantary medical practises was recommendation of relatives 38.8 %, recommendation of friends 29.7 %, the thought of alternative/complemantary medical practises is more efficient than normal medical procedures 10.7%. As a result of this study, it was determined that participants were not conscious enough about the usage of biological medical drugs and alternative or complemantary medical practises, because of taking them by recommendation of relatives and friends. Key Words: Complementary Treatment, Alternative Treatment, Irrational Drug Use.