Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Medical and Pharmacy Students in Sana'a, Yemen: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used in Yemen, yet formal education for healthcare students remains limited. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward CAM among medical and pharmacy students at the University of Science and Technology (UST), Sana'a.

METHODS

A single-centre cross-sectional study was conducted among 318 final and pre-final medical and pharmacy students (53% response rate) selected through convenience sampling, using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were dichotomised using pre-defined cut-offs ("good knowledge" and "positive attitude" defined as a total score ≥ 60% of the maximum attainable score). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Overall, 61% of respondents were classified as having good knowledge and 79.2% held positive attitudes toward CAM. These figures reflect high awareness of selected CAM modalities rather than verified clinical competence. Herbal medicine (97.8%) and spiritual healing (94.0%) were the most recognized modalities. CAM use was reported by 64% of students, with herbal medicine being the most practiced (66.4%). Specialty was significantly associated with all three KAP domains; in the adjusted model, specialty independently predicted good knowledge (OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.21-10.08, and female gender and previous CAM use predicted positive attitudes. Major barriers included lack of regulations (93.0%) and insufficient scientific evidence (85.2%).

CONCLUSION

Students demonstrated high awareness of selected CAM modalities and positive attitudes toward CAM, moderate personal practice. Because the instrument primarily measured awareness, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and are specific to a single institution. Integrating evidence-based CAM education into curricula is recommended to prepare future physicians and pharmacists for safe, patient-centred counselling rather than to promote CAM use uncritically.