KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE STUDY OF UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE AMONG THE TWO SELECTED LOCALITIES OF BANGALORE’’ WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NATIONAL AYUSH MISSION

Dr. Ashaq Hussain Munshi* and Dr. Arish Mk Sherwani

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives:- The globalisation of the traditional medicine has direct or indirect influence on the propagation of Unani system. AYUSH is a part of healthcare delivery system in India, Mainstreaming of AYUSH, launching of NAM and policies of working on health projects in collaboration with the WHO has enhanced further hope for the development of AYUSH in general including Unani. The aim of the present study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of people about the USM among the population of two selected localities of Bengaluru and its association with demographic variables and comparisons between two selected localities. Materials and Methods:- A questionnaire /schedule was used in this systematic randomized cross-sectional study with the inclusion of 427 (207 from locality A and 220 from B) participants from two selected localities of Bengaluru. Results:-The overall aggregate results of both locations terms of Knowledge, & Attitude indices were obtained in the percentage of HKI overall as 1(0.2%), MKI as 34(8.0%) LKI 392(91.8%), HAI as 9 (2.1%) MAI as 78(18.3%) LAI 340 (79.6%). Conclusion: - Study revealed that Knowledge about the Unani System of Medicine in particular is very low in both studied localities. However the attitude though also low but is considerably good then knowledge. The data obtained from the study can be used for interventions and interpretations by the policy makers to make the visions and objectives of NAM successful in context with popularising the USM and other AYUSH systems.

Keywords: Knowledge & Attitude indices; National AYUSH Mission, Unani System of Medicine.