Knowledge and attitudes of patients applying to the family medicine outpatient clinic of A tertiary hospital according to their living in rural and urban regions regarding traditional and complementary medicine

Introduction and Aim: One of the primary goals that have not changed throughout human history is to be healthy. It is seen that societies shaped their methods for health according to their geography, culture or beliefs before the developments in modern medicine. Demand for conventional non-medical methods has increased in the world and in our country. In this study, the aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of the people living in urban and rural areas in the city of Çorum about traditional and complementary medicine methods, which are increasingly common, to reveal the factors that affect this and to contribute to public health and literature with the data obtained from this. Material and Method: It was carried out as a cross-sectional-descriptive study with the participation of individuals aged 18-65 who applied to the family medicine outpatient clinic of Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, Erol Olçok Hitit University Training and Research Hospital between March 10 and March 31, 2021 by grouping them according to urban and rural living areas. Participants were administered a face-to-face questionnaire created by the study team, questioning their knowledge and attitudes on traditional and complementary medicine (GETAT). Results: A total of 385 people participated in our study. Of the participants, 277 (71.9%) people were living in urban areas and 108 (28.1%) participants were living in rural areas. The mean age of the participants living in urban areas was 40.59 ± 11.95 years, and the average age of the participants living in rural areas was 41.01 ± 14.61 years. Hearing at least one or more GETAT methods was 92.1% (n=255) higher in the urban area than 76.9% (n=83) in the rural area (P<0.001). The most commonly heard methods were leech therapy (Hirudotherapy) in urban areas with 79.1% and massage therapy in rural areas with 62%. A statistically significant correlation was found between having a higher education level in both regions and having a better monthly income as the effective factors in this situation. There is no statistically significant difference between urban and rural areas in applying the GETAT method (P=0.229). 130 (51.0%) of 255 people living in urban areas and 36 (43.4%) of 83 people living in rural areas stated that they had at least one or more GETAT method applied. It was observed that massage therapy was the most commonly used practice in both regions (27.1% in urban areas, 21.3% in rural areas). Hearing frequency of GETAT methods; In urban areas, 62.5% internet, 54.3% television, 50.8% circle of friends, respectively, in rural areas; television with 63.4%, internet with 48.8% and circle of friends with 47.5%, respectively was observed. When the participants consider applying GETAT methods, the most common people to consult are; family physicians were observed with 84.3% in urban areas and 89.5% in rural areas. Conclusion: GETAT methods may differ between those living in urban and rural areas. Although educational status and monthly income have been identified as effective factors in this difference, socio-cultural influence and life-specific factors also have an effect. Keywords: Family Medicine, Traditional and Complementary medicine, Urban, Rural