Abstract Objectives: Our study aimed to assess vaccine hesitancy and identify its underlying reasons among healthcare students at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, we sought to measure the prevalence and engagement patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among the students and assess the association between CAM beliefs and practices and vaccine hesitancy in future healthcare providers. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed at KSU between January 15 and May 12, 2024. Using convenience sampling, data were collected through electronic questionnaires distributed through social media platforms, and quick response codes were provided in person. Results: Among the 245 participants, 59.2% were males, comprising mostly Saudi nationals (98.8%). Most participants were from the College of Medicine (62%). Most participants believed the vaccines protected them against serious diseases (97.6%), and approximately 46.9% were vaccine-hesitant. Complementary products were used by 56.7% of participants, whereas CAM treatments were used by 25.7%. Conclusion: Participants using CAM products had slightly lower odds of vaccine hesitancy (odds ratios ORs = 0.929, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.500–1.725); however, this was not statistically significant. Similarly, CAM treatments were not significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy (ORs = 1.253, 95%CI: 0.639–2.459). Future research should examine the correlation between vaccine hesitancy and distrust of conventional medicine.
Binkhamis et al. (2026) studied this question.