Awareness and Popularity of Ayush System among IT Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The AYUSH system of medicine encompasses Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Despite government initiatives to mainstream these traditional healthcare systems, awareness and utilisation vary considerably across professional segments. The Information Technology (IT) sector, employing approximately 4.8 million sedentary workers in India, represents a distinctive population with high health-risk profiles and significant digital connectivity, warranting targeted assessment of AYUSH awareness. Objectives: To assess the awareness and popularity of AYUSH among IT professionals; to evaluate preferences, perceptions, and utilisation patterns; and to document suggestions for popularising AYUSH in the IT sector. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional e-survey was conducted among IT professionals in Tamil Nadu using a preformed, validated, 19-item standardised questionnaire administered via Google Forms. A total of 195 responses were collected. Questionnaire validity was established through group discussions, expert review, and a pilot study on 20 individuals; internal consistency was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha. Data are presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Of 195 respondents (54.4% male, 45.6% female), 52.3% had heard of AYUSH, primarily through friends/relatives (49.0%) and the internet (31.4%). Ayurveda (68.7%), Siddha (64.6%), and Homeopathy (64.1%) were the most recognised systems. While 64.6% of respondents believed in AYUSH, only 36.9% considered it popular. Ayurveda was the most preferred system (31.8%), and Siddha was the system most commonly used for prior treatment (35.3%). Hairfall, general weakness, and anaemia were conditions most associated with AYUSH preference (42.6%). A majority (68.7%) believed AYUSH medicines are free from side effects, and 63.6% perceived that AYUSH provides root-cause treatment. Only 10.8% had employer-provided health insurance covering AYUSH, and 65.6% were unaware of AYUSH wings in government hospitals. Notably, 73.8% felt that IT integration with AYUSH would improve healthcare service delivery. Conclusion: Awareness of AYUSH exists among IT professionals but remains limited in depth, particularly regarding institutional facilities. A favourable belief in AYUSH is evident, with support for IT-AYUSH integration. Structured awareness campaigns, improved hospital infrastructure, and corporate health policy reforms are opinionated to enhance AYUSH uptake in the IT sector.