THE OPINION AND ATTITUDE ABOUT CUPPING THERAPY AMONG GENERAL POPULATION OF NORTHERN REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA

Amir Mohammed Alshamri and Md. Ali Mujtaba*

ABSTRACT

Objectives of the study: The primary objective was to assess the opinion and attitude about cupping therapy among general population of Saudi Arabia and secondary objective was to assess prevalence and causes of cupping therapy use. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the period of three months from January 2017 to march 2017 in Northern border area of Saudi Arabia. The Inclusion criteria for this study was: Saudi People (both gender), older than the age of eighteen, living in northern border area and agree to answer the questionnaire after being informed about the main purpose of the study. Data were collected by using online structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe all variables using the software Microsoft Excel program. Results: The total number of subjects enrolled for this study was one hundred twenty three. Males represent 76% of the study subjects, more than half of study subjects (64%) aged between 19 - 25 years. There were one hundred and twenty (98%) heard about cupping therapy, 43% didn't know that cupping therapy has different types, 59% of study subjects agreed that cupping is contraindicated in patients suffering from certain diseases, 35% think that cupping therapy can be alternative to medical therapy. 39% agree that cupping therapy can shorten duration of treatment, 73% would advise friends and relatives with cupping therapy and 37% would get cupping therapy soon. only 25% got cupping therapy previously. Conclusion: There is positive attitude towards cupping therapy, high percent of participants recommend cupping therapy to their friends and relatives and intend to use it soon but Majority of them hadn't experience cupping therapy. The preliminary results of this study call for further research with a larger sample in academic settings across the nation.

Keywords: Cupping therapy, Awareness, Knowledge, Participants, Saudi Arabia.