Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Cupping (Hijamah) Therapy among patients visiting Primary Health Centers in Tabuk City, KSA 2023-2024

Abstract

Samar Lafi Aljohani*

Background: Cupping therapy (in Arabian “Hijamah”) has been used in many civilizations throughout the years from the ancient ages up till the present time with good benefits for some patients.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the population in Tabuk City, about Hijamah and its therapeutic benefits.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six primary healthcare centers in Tabuk city, northwest of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the period of one year (June 2023- May 2024). It included adult patients aged between 20-70 years. Self-administered questionnaire in Arabic language was distributed to participants. It was divided in to four main parts (demographic data, knowledge, attitude and practice of the participants).

Results: Thestudyincluded 416 adults. Their age ranged between 20 and 70 years; with most of them (81.3%) aged below 50 years (81.3%). All of the participants have heard about cupping as one of the useful methods of therapy, however, the two main resources of information were friends/relatives (61.1%) and social media/ internet (32%). Apparently, most of them believed that Hijamah is a kind of treatment for many common diseases (76.7%), and is an efficient treatment (83%); however, only 50% believed that it has prolong efficiency in many diseases such as headaches, blood circulation, back and neck pain, arthritis, and detoxify of the body. As for practicing or applying Hijamah therapy, it is found that (78.8%) of participants or their friends or relatives have experienced it, However, this therapy was not used to treat chronic diseases (63.5%), more than half (56%) were not cured completely from their disease, or the disease return back after some time. Yet, (68%) of them are ready to repeat the experience of Hijamah once again. Generally, (87.5%) of the participants encourage the idea of having Hijamah clinics inside medical centers, especially inside the governmental hospitals, and primary health centers, as most of the Hijamah clinics (93.5%) are private.

Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude toward Hijamah therapy were positive and considerable. However, there is a need of doing more researches about the efficiency of Hijamah therapy on patients on terms of period of effect and other researches about its efficiency on treating chronic diseases of genetic origin.