Traditional methods used by infertile couples

This study was conducted in a descriptive and correlational manner to determine the traditional method use of individuals receiving infertility treatment and their attitudes towards traditional complementary medicine. The study was conducted in the in vitro fertilization center of a private hospital in Istanbul between February 2023 and June 2023. A total of 341 individuals, 233 infertile women and 108 men, were included in the study. The data of the study were collected with an introductory information form and the Traditional Complementary Medicine Attitude Scale. It was observed that the rate of infertile patients using a traditional method for pregnancy was 56.9%. It was determined that 63.9% of individuals using traditional methods did not report these methods to their doctors. The most commonly used traditional methods were spiritual prayers (51.5%), onion cure (17.0%), phytotherapy (16.0%), cupping (16.5%) and fig cure (16.0%). In addition, it was determined that natural food products such as honey (14.9%), carob molasses (12.4%) and avocado (11.3%) were frequently used. Those who used a traditional method for pregnancy had significantly higher GTT attitude scores than those who did not use it. The total scale scores of the participants who were secondary school graduates were higher compared to university and postgraduate graduates. In addition, participants with extended families and consanguineous marriages had higher scale total scores. Participants whose income was less than their expenses had higher scale total scores compared to those whose income was equal to their expenses or more than their expenses. As a result, it was determined that approximately more than half of the participants used traditional methods and that participants who used these methods had higher Traditional Complementary Medicine Attitude Scale total scores. Education, family structure, income status and consanguineous marriage were the factors affecting the Traditional Complementary Medicine Attitude Scale total score.