الفهرس 
Introduction
Epidemiology of chronic Hepatitis C Virus InfectionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 113 |  |  |
| | | from | 113 | | |
Abstract
The term complementary alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses different types of treatments and procedures not included in conventional medicine. Despite the lack of sufficient evidence for its clinical efficacy, the CAM industry continues to be profitable. Many studies worldwide have investigated the use of CAM. Most of these studies revealed a surprisingly high prevalence and an overall positive attitude toward the use of CAM. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection sero prevalence in Egypt is 14.7%. Patients might, in desperation, resort to using CAM in addition to prescribed medication in the hope of finding a cure for their disease.
This study aimed to explore the knowledge of and the attitude towards using CAM, establish CAM pattern (prevalence and associated factors) during the INF based (SOC), and lastly asses the attitude towards using CAM for CHC after emergence of new direct acting antiviral drugs among CHC patients attending Assuit University Hospital.
The knowledge of, attitude towards and use of CAM of the above mentioned groups was tested via a pilot tested questionnaire by a direct person-to-person interview. The study included 500 patients during the era of INF based therapy (SOC) and 250 during the era of DAAs. All responses and collected data were entered and statistically analyzed. The questionnaire completion rate was 100% in both groups.
The result of this study revealed a high rate of knowledge, positive attitude and use of CAM. the predictors of CAM knowledge, attitude and prevalence were older age, male gender, religion (Islam), residence in rural areas, illiteracy, employment and absence of travel abroad. The overall satisfaction rate for all types of CAM use was very high. None of the patients reported any worsening of their condition by the use of CAM. After emergence of DAAs, the majority of patients’ head for the new treatment in a trial to find a cure for their liver disease irrespective of their previous CAM use with no statistically difference between age, gender, religion, residence, occupation or education level. Approximately, two thirds of patients have used more than one type of CAM on a regular basis without medical advice. The most frequently used types of CAM were herbs, honey, and Nigella sativa. A small percentage of patients are still willing to continue on using CAM in the future even after the use DAAs.