The relationship between the knowledge and opinions of healthcare personnel on complementary and alternative medicine practices and their attitudes towards infertility

The research was carried out to determine the relationship between the knowledge and opinions of health personnel about complementary and alternative medicine practices and their attitudes towards infertility. The cross-sectional study was carried out at Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital between 01.11.2021 and 31.03.2022. The sample size consisted of 180 health personnel (56 nurses/midwives, 84 doctors and 40 other health personnel) working in Balıkesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital, who were selected by stratified random sampling method and accepted to participate in the study. Descriptive statistical methods, Student's t test, ANOVA test, and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the analysis. Research data; The data were collected with the "Introductory Information Form" and the "Attitude Towards Infertility Scale-İYTÖ" to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of health personnel and their knowledge and views on complementary and alternative medicine practices. The mean score of the health personnel on the 'Attitude Scale Towards Infertility-IYTÖ' was found to be 21.42±6.37. 51.7% of the health personnel stated that they had knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine methods for infertility, % 37.8 stated that they would use these methods if they were receiving infertility treatment, and % 55 stated that they would recommend these methods to patients. The mean score of the Attitude Scale towards Infertility was found to be significantly higher among the health personnel who consider using complementary and alternative medicine methods in case of infertility treatment, recommend complementary and alternative medicine methods for infertility, and think that training should be given about complementary and alternative medicine methods after graduation (p<0.05). It is recommended to increase the level of knowledge of health professionals about CAM methods for infertility and to raise their awareness.