Trends and Predictors of Alternative Medicine Use Among University Students: A 10 Year Comparison Study

Keywords

alternative medicine, herbals, modern health worries, predictors, symptoms

Abstract

Objective: This study documented the prevalence and antecedents of complementary and alternative medicine  (CAM) use in a university student sample. We extend previous research by documenting changes in CAM use in the past decade. Participants: Participants were 519 college students at a large public university. Methods: Participants were administered questionnaires: CAM and Herbal use surveys, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Modern Health Worries (MHW) and the Subjective Health Complaints. Results: Overall, 60% of the participants had used at least one type of CAM and 70% had used at least one herbal substance in the past 12 months. Hierarchical regression determined that increased age and MHWs were significant predictors of overall CAM use. Increased age and pseudoneurological symptoms predicted herbal use. Exploratory factor analysis and additional regressions revealed additional information about predictors of specific types of CAM and herb use. Conclusion: CAM use has remained at a consistently high level in undergraduates.

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