Introduction: Major life changing events such as the COVID-19 pandemic may have major impact on one’s health and general well-being. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors, including gender specifc diferences, of Complementary Medicine (CM) use (including CM consultations, self-care management and self-help techniques) during the frst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in the Netherlands.
Methods: CM use was studied among a random representative sample (n=1004) of the adult Dutch population using an online survey conducted from 22–27 May 2020. The survey included a modifed version of I-CAM-Q and additional questions on demographic characteristics, reasons for CM use, perceived efectiveness and side efects.
Results: 68.0% of the participants reported to have used CM (CM consultations (13.3%), self-management strategies (59.4%), self-help techniques (30.0%)). Most frequently reported reason of CM use was to improve general well-being (61.6%), prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 was only reported by 10%. Perceived efectiveness of CM was high and number of experienced side efects low. Being a women, worried to get infected with COVID-19, higher education and living in northern/ middle region of the Netherlands were predictive factors to use CM.
Conclusions: In the Netherlands, specifc groups (e.g. women/ highly educated) use CM, mainly to improve general wellbeing, and seem to beneft of it during the frst months of the pandemic. The high perceived efectiveness and low reporting of side efects should encourage medical professionals and policy makers for more openness towards considering CM as being part of an integrative approach to public health in times life changing events occur.