Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study in Pediatric Inpatients

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Traditional Medicine

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent globally, yet data on acutely sick hospitalized children, particularly in tertiary care settings in India, remains limited.
• Understanding CAM usage patterns and associated factors is crucial for integrated healthcare approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among acutely sick hospitalized children.
• To identify factors associated with CAM use in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in a tertiary care center in Delhi, India.
• A specially designed questionnaire assessed 887 admitted children for CAM usage.
• Data analysis identified demographic and socioeconomic factors correlated with CAM use.

Main Results:

• 18.1% of hospitalized children reported using CAM, with 70.2% using it for the current illness.
• Commonly used CAM modalities included combined Ayurveda and spiritual approaches (25.5%), Ayurveda (24.8%), and spiritual practices like 'Jhada' (47.2%).
• Younger age, female gender, and paternal employment were significant factors associated with CAM use.

Conclusions:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly utilized by acutely sick hospitalized children in this Indian tertiary care setting.
• Healthcare providers should be aware of CAM use in pediatric patients to facilitate informed discussions and potentially integrated care.
• Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy and safety of specific CAM practices in hospitalized children.