The usage of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): prevalence, health literacy, beliefs and self-management among people with hypertension in a rural areas, Pahang, Malaysia / Azizul Farid Zakaria

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is believed to have had health benefits in treating hypertension in past decades, especially in rural areas. However, CAM is often not supported by scientific evidence. Thus, awareness of the possible toxicity of CAM in the self-management of health is crucial. This study aims to identify CAM users' prevalence, beliefs, health literacy, and examine the associated factors for the self-management of hypertension. This cross-sectional study used a set of questionnaires consisting of demographic data, health-related characteristics, the Montana State University CAM Health Literacy Scale, the Hypertension Self-Care Activity Level Effect (H-SCALE),and the Beliefs About Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ). The study employed simple random sampling, and it was conducted in four clinics located in Jerantut, Pahang, from January 2021 to May 2021.