DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.052

Pages: 261-266

This study investigated the attitudes towards the holistic complementary and alternative medicine (HCAM) of the midwives working in the family healthcare centers. This study used a descriptive and correlational designs. The population of this study consists of the midwives working in the family healthcare centers in Trabzon, Turkey. A total of 59 midwives participated in the study. The data was collected between 15 February and 30 July 2012. Of the participants, 72.8% were married, 54.3% were university graduates, 47.4% had 16-20 years of work experience, 81.3% had no chronic diseases, 86.4% did not have enough information on CAM, and 100% were females and their ages ranged from 25 to 49 years. Data were collected using HCAM questionnaire. The mean score of the scale was found to be 52.5 SD 1.3. The mean scores obtained for the CAM sub-scale was 21.5 SD 1.5, and for the HH subscale 21.2 SD 1.1. The use of herbal therapy and vitamins was significantly positively correlated with the HCAM, CAM and HH. Based on the total score of the scale, the midwives showed a negative attitude towards HCAM. According to the findings of the study, midwives use CAM for their own health and but do not use their patients’ health. The study found a statistically significant differences between such characteristics of the midwives as having achronic disease, excess years of work, being married, having enough information on CAM and attitudes towards HCAM. In order to be able to make comparisons among different groups, the study should be replicated with other health personnel.