Influence of Gender and Educational Background on Pharmacy Students�’ Perception of CAMs: A Survey-Based Study

Dhanushya, Ramasamy Devendran; Velmurugan, Ramaiyan; Smileyn, James Jemimah; Pavithra, Rangadurai; Krishnapriya, Babu; Praveen, Ravichandran

doi:10.5530/ijpi.20260043

Original ArticleInternational Journal of Pharmaceutical InvestigationVol. 16 | Issue 4 | 2026 | pp. 1410–1416Open access

Influence of Gender and Educational Background on Pharmacy Students’ Perception of CAMs: A Survey-Based Study

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¹ Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.

Correspondence: Ramaiyan Velmurugan
Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
Email: ramaiyan.dr@gmail.com

Published:: Jan 1, 2026
Received:: Mar 6, 2026
Accepted:: Jun 15, 2026
DOI:: 10.5530/ijpi.20260043

How to cite

Dhanushya, R. D., Velmurugan, R., Smileyn, J. J., Pavithra, R., Krishnapriya, B., & Praveen, R. (2026). Influence of Gender and Educational Background on Pharmacy Students’ Perception of CAMs: A Survey-Based Study. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 16(4), 1410–1416. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijpi.20260043

Abstract

Background

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAMs) was extensively Utilized across countries for managing chronic and acute condition, with practices including Acupuncture, Ayurvedic, meditation, chiropractic, naturopathy. This study aims to appraise the Knowledge, Attitude and Perception (KAP) of CAMs among Pharmacy Students of a private institution in Chennai.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy students of College of Pharmacy Chennai using Google-form. This survey contains four domains composed of 34 questions about knowledge, attitude and perception of CAMs.

Results

Among the total participants, 41% were male and 59% were female. Statistically significant differences were observed in participants KAP scores based on their qualification (p=0.002) and year of study (p=0.008), respectively.

Conclusion

More than 70% of the pharmacy students demonstrated good knowledge, attitude and perception towards CAMs; however, scope for improvement remains. Inclusion of CAMs in the pharmacy curriculum could further enhance students KAP. Gender was identified as a factor influencing CAMs usage.

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Article metadata

Title	Influence of Gender and Educational Background on Pharmacy Students’ Perception of CAMs: A Survey-Based Study
Authors	Ramasamy Devendran Dhanushya; Ramaiyan Velmurugan; James Jemimah Smileyn; Rangadurai Pavithra; Babu Krishnapriya; Ravichandran Praveen
Affiliations	Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
Corresponding author	ramaiyan.dr@gmail.com
Journal	International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
Volume / Issue	Vol. 16, Issue 4 (2026)