Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus poses a major global health challenge, burdening both individuals and healthcare systems. In recent years, the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by diabetes patients has increased, driven by beliefs in its effectiveness and influenced by non-medical sources. Understanding the relationship between CAM use and medication adherence is essential for optimizing diabetes care in high-prevalence regions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetic Center in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia, from March to May 2024. Using convenience sampling, 451 patients with diabetes participated in face-to-face interviews to complete two questionnaires, the CAM and GMAS. Study approval and informed consent were obtained in accordance with institutional and ethical protocols. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were applied to assess CAM use and its association with adherence. RESULTS: Most respondents were female, and 38.4% were aged 46-64 years. The prevalence of CAM use among patients was 71.6%, with natural medicines as the most common (59.6%). Most users (58.5%) reported daily use. The effectiveness and belief in CAM practices were the main reasons for CAM use. No significant difference in adherence was found between CAM and non-CAM users (46.1% vs. 25.5%; p = 0.116). Divorced patients had significantly lower odds of adherence than unmarried individuals (AOR = 0.420, 95% CI: 0.199-0.888, p = 0.023). Participants with 11-15 years of diabetes had significantly lower odds of adherence compared to those with 1-5 years (AOR = 0.439, 95% CI: 0.225-0.858, p = 0.016). Interestingly, those who could not recall the duration of their diabetes had significantly higher odds of adherence (AOR = 6.574, 95% CI: 2.590-16.688, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that integrating CAM with standard diabetes management does not compromise medication adherence in the study population. Healthcare professionals should engage patients in open discussion about CAM use while reinforcing adherence to prescribed therapy. Continued research is necessary to explore additional factors that affect adherence and health outcomes in diabetes care.