Table 3 Participants’ attitudes and sources of knowledge about CAM therapies for ASD
Parameter | Category | N (%) |
|---|---|---|
Do you think you should ask a doctor before using CAM? | No | 413 (9.6%) |
Yes | 3,425 (79.4%) | |
Do not know | 473 (11.0%) | |
The reason for using CAM is to treat ASD without causing harm | No | 1,059 (24.6%) |
Yes | 1,733 (40.2%) | |
Do not know | 1,519 (35.2%) | |
Would you recommend using CAM with ASD patients? | No | 1,204 (27.9%) |
Yes | 1,668 (38.7%) | |
Do not know | 1,439 (33.4%) | |
Reason(s) for seeking CAM* | No benefits from the medical treatments | 1,313 (30.5%) |
Disabling nature of the disease | 1,593 (37.0%) | |
Difficult access to treatment | 1,536 (35.6%) | |
Strong beliefs in CAM | 1,472 (34.1%) | |
Cultural beliefs | 1,578 (36.6%) | |
No insurance | 1,683 (39.0%) | |
Evil eye, Fear of Magic (Jin) | 918 (21.3%) | |
Main sources of knowledge about CAM for ASD patients* | Friend/relatives | 2,092 (48.5%) |
Social media/internet | 2,528 (58.6%) | |
Health practitioners | 943 (21.9%) | |
CAM therapists | 1,173 (27.2%) | |
Families of other patients | 1,143 (26.5%) | |
Islamic scholars | 471 (10.9%) | |
CAM can improve communication aspects of ASD | No | 916 (21.2%) |
Yes | 1885 (43.7%) | |
Do not know | 1510 (35.0%) | |
CAM can improve social aspects of ASD | No | 882 (20.5%) |
Yes | 1979 (45.9%) | |
Do not know | 1450 (33.6%) | |
CAM can improve behavioral aspects of ASD | No | 939 (21.8%) |
Yes | 1915 (44.4%) | |
Do not know | 1457 (33.8%) | |
CAM can improve overall health for ASD | No | 801 (18.6%) |
Yes | 2,055 (47.7%) | |
Do not know | 1,455 (33.8%) | |
CAM can completely treat ASD | No | 1,936 (44.9%) |
Yes | 862 (20.0%) | |
Do not know | 1,513 (35.1%) |