International college students' perceptions on complementary and alternative medical practices

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• International student health
• Public health

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent globally.
• Understanding CAM choices among diverse populations, like international students, is crucial for tailored health services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the complementary and alternative medicinal (CAM) choices of international college students in the U.S.
• To explore factors influencing CAM use and beliefs in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 192 international college students.
• Data collected included demographics, cultural/religious influences, CAM usage, and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory (CAMBI).

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated a wide range of CAM usage.
• Higher CAMBI scores were observed in older age groups (20-29 and 30+ years) compared to younger students (18-19 years).
• Participants generally reported high scores on the CAMBI.

Conclusions:

• International college students exhibit diverse CAM preferences.
• There is a notable demand for accessible CAM options on university campuses.
• Age appears to correlate with CAM beliefs among international students.