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Comparison of complementary and alternative medicine use: reasons and motivations between two tertiary children's
D R Cincotta1, N W Crawford, A Lim
1University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
Insights
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use was lower in Cardiff than Melbourne, with differing reasons and perceived helpfulness. Sociocultural factors and poor communication highlight the need for local policy development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research
- Cross-Cultural Health Studies
Background:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use is prevalent in pediatric populations.
- Understanding regional variations in CAM use is crucial for healthcare providers.
- Sociocultural factors may influence CAM utilization and perceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence, reasons, motivations, initiation, perceived helpfulness, and communication of CAM use in children between two tertiary hospitals in Cardiff, UK, and Melbourne, Australia.
- To identify factors associated with differing CAM use patterns in pediatric patients.
- To assess the communication and documentation of CAM use between patients and healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study utilizing face-to-face questionnaires.
- Survey administered to 500 children in Cardiff and 503 children in Melbourne.
- Data collected on CAM prevalence, reasons, initiation, perceived helpfulness, and communication.
Main Results:
- Cardiff showed lower overall CAM use (41%) compared to Melbourne (51%).
- Factors associated with lower CAM use in Cardiff included local family origin and non-tertiary educated parents.
- CAM was perceived as less helpful in Cardiff, and non-disclosure to healthcare providers was high in both locations.
Conclusions:
- Differences in CAM use between Cardiff and Melbourne likely stem from sociocultural variations.
- The study underscores the importance of local policy development to address regional disparities in CAM use and improve communication.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of and discuss CAM use with pediatric patients and their families.
Aims:
To compare prevalence, reasons, motivations, initiation, perceived helpfulness, and communication of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use between two tertiary children's hospitals.
Methodology:
A study, using a face-to-face questionnaire, of 500 children attending the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK was compared to an identical study of 503 children attending the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Results:
One year CAM use in Cardiff was lower than Melbourne (41% v 51%; OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.52-0.85), reflected in non-medicinal use (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.29-0.58) and general paediatric outpatients (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.21-0.67). Compared to Melbourne, factors associated with lower CAM use in Cardiff included families born locally (father: OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.77) or non-tertiary educated parents (mother: OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.77). Cardiff participants used less vitamin C (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.18-0.51) and herbs (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.34-0.71), attended less chiropractors (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.06-0.37) and naturopaths (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.33), but saw more reflexologists (OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.08-10.29). In Cardiff, CAM was more popular for relaxation (OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.03-3.57) but less for colds/coughs (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.27-0.73). Most CAM was self-initiated (by parent) in Cardiff and Melbourne (74% v 70%), but Cardiff CAM users perceived it less helpful (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.31-0.68). Non-disclosure of CAM use was high in Cardiff and Melbourne (66% v 63%); likewise few doctors/nurses documented recent medicinal CAM use in inpatient notes (0/21 v 2/22).
Conclusions:
The differences in CAM use may reflect variation in sociocultural factors influencing reasons, motivations, attitudes, and availability. The regional variation in use and poor communication highlights the importance of local policy development.