Determinants of the Utilization of Recognized Traditional and Complementary Medicine Service in Malaysia: A Secondary Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The utilization of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) services has witnessed a global increase over the past decades. Currently, seven practice areas are recognized in Malaysia traditional Malay medicine (TMM), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), traditional Indian medicine, homeopathy, Islamic medical practice, chiropractic, and osteopathy. Many global studies have investigated the general determinants of T&CM service utilization. However, there has been no comprehensive study reporting specific determinants of recognized T&CM service utilization. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and specific determinants of recognized T&CM service utilization in Malaysia at a national level. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), a cross-sectional population-based survey conducted in Malaysia in 2015. A total of 6,207 respondents aged ≥18 years were included in this study. The associations of sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors with the utilization of the three T&CM service categories (TMM, TCM, and other T&CM) were examined using three separate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of recognized T&CM service utilization in the last 12 months was 19.3%, with 15.0% for TMM, 3.9% for TCM, and 1.5% for other T&CM. The determinants of TMM service utilization were female sex; age range of 18-29 years; married or widowed/divorced status; Malay, indigenous, or other ethnicities; high household income; and being overweight/obese. The determinants of TCM service utilization were the age range of 30-49 years, urban residential location, Chinese ethnicity, and adequate fruit and vegetable intake. No specific determinants were identified for other T&CM. CONCLUSION: This study provided novel evidence of a strong ethnocultural ownership toward traditional medicine. User profiles were distinctively different between varied T&CM services. Customized approaches to regulate, develop, and institutionalize specific T&CM services are crucial for fulfilling the unique needs of diverse communities.