Determining attitudes toward acupuncture: a focus on older U.S. veterans

To explore whether factors related to attitudes toward acupuncture use in a population of older veterans is similar to previously identified motivators for nonveterans.

A sample of veterans was asked to complete a questionnaire, which included questions on sociodemographic traits, history of acupuncture, chronic diseases, and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data reduction was performed by using principal components analysis to identify major factors among the HBM responses. Linear regression was performed to evaluate variables that may contribute to attitudes toward acupuncture.

There were 402 completed questionnaires. Principal components analysis yielded three significant factors. Linear regression resulted in a model that explained 35% of the variance for positive attitudes toward acupuncture: Age, race, religion, access to acupuncture, self-efficacy for nonpharmacologic treatments, and the presence of one or more physical and mental chronic health condition were significantly related to positive attitudes toward acupuncture.

Factors related to attitudes toward acupuncture were very similar to factors identified in other literature for nonveterans, with the exception of income and education. The findings suggest that availability of treatment influences attitudes toward acupuncture.