Özet:

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of hypertension patients in Şanliurfa regarding the use of traditional complementary medicine (TCM) methods. Materials and Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 258 hypertension patients receiving service from family health centers in Şanlıurfa province between July and December 2021. A questionnaire consisting of 25 questions was developed by the researchers about the sociodemographic characte-ristics of the participants and their knowledge and attitudes about the use of TCM methods such as phytotherapy, mesotherapy, acupuncture, hypnosis, cupping, music therapy, larva, apitherapy, osteopathy, which are included in the GETAT regulation in Turkey, was administered face-to-face. In addition, the 13-item “Attitude Scale for Using Complementary Therapies” was used. Results: Of the participants, 55.4% (n=143) were female, 44.6% (n=115) were male, and 32.9% (n=85) were aged 60 years and over. 82 participants (31.8%) had hypertension for 10-19 years. 79.8% (n=206) of the participants were using TCM methods for the treatment of hypertension, and the most preferred TCM method was phytotherapy with a rate of 73.6% (n=190). The majority of the participants (65.1%, n=168) stated that they did not know about the situations in which TCM methods should not be used. Conclusions: It was observed that the majority of the participants with hypertension disease preferred TCM methods for treatments, and more than half of them were not aware of the situations in which these methods should not be used. In order for patients to benefit from TCM methods in the most correct way and to prevent possible harm that may arise from misuse, they need information and counseling from reliable sources, especially family physicians, who are the primary caregivers.

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