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Complementary medicine use in children: extent and reasons. A population-based study
Summary
Complementary medicine use is common in children, with 17.9% using it at least once. Common therapies include homeopathy and herbal medicine for various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
- Public Health
Background:
- Complementary medicine use is increasingly prevalent globally.
- Understanding the patterns of CAM use in pediatric populations is crucial for healthcare providers.
- Limited data exists on the specific prevalence and reasons for CAM use in children within certain regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of complementary medicine use in children.
- To identify the most commonly used complementary therapies and the conditions they are used for.
- To explore the reasons behind complementary medicine use in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional population survey was conducted.
- Data was collected on the usage of various complementary medicine modalities.
- Information on treated conditions and reasons for use was gathered.
Main Results:
- 17.9% of children had used some form of complementary medicine at least once.
- 6.9% of children had visited a complementary medicine practitioner.
- Homoeopathy, aromatherapy, and herbal medicine were most frequently used for ENT, dermatology, musculoskeletal, infant, respiratory, and behavioral issues.
Conclusions:
- Complementary medicine use is widespread among children.
- Healthcare professionals should be aware of CAM use and potential interactions.
- Encouraging adherence to effective conventional treatments remains important.