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Complementary medicine use in multi-ethnic paediatric outpatients

Nicola Robinson1, Mitch Blair, Ava Lorenc

  • 1Centre for Complementary Healthcare and Integrated Medicine (CCHIM), Faculty of Health & Human Sciences, Thames Valley University, Paragon House, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, Middlesex, UK. nicky.robinson@tvu.ac.uk

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
|February 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Complementary medicine (CM) use in children is higher than previously estimated in the UK, affecting 37% of paediatric outpatients. Parental use and child

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Complementary Medicine Research
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Complementary medicine (CM) use is prevalent among children.
  • Understanding CM usage patterns in pediatric populations is crucial for healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and key factors influencing complementary medicine (CM) use in a diverse pediatric outpatient setting.
  • To investigate the determinants of CM utilization among children in a multi-ethnic population.

Main Methods:

  • A parent-completed questionnaire survey was administered to pediatric outpatients.
  • Data collection occurred at a North West London hospital from September to December 2005.

Main Results:

  • 37% of children in this multi-ethnic population used CM, a higher rate than anticipated.
  • Parental CM use and child's health status were significant predictors of use.
  • Homeopathy and herbal medicine were the most common CMs; 53% of use was not reported to physicians.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric CM use in the UK may be underestimated, necessitating increased clinician awareness.
  • Healthcare professionals should acknowledge parental beliefs influencing CM decisions.
  • Further research into CM use in pediatric care is warranted.
Abstract

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