Complementary and alternative medicine use among Mauritian women

ObjectiveTo assess CAM usage among women in Mauritius.MethodsCross-sectional survey with a nationally-representative sample (n = 384). Quantitative indices included informant-consensus factor, use-value, fidelity-value and use-mentions were calculated.ResultsThirteen therapies were identified and currently are used to treat or manage 26 ailments. These were phytotherapy (30%); yoga (13%); deep-breathing (12%); massage therapy (11%); ayurvedic medicine (8%); meditation (6%); zootherapy (6%); homeopathy (5%); exercise (3%) and reiki (3%). The most prevalent CAM was phytotherapy. Based on the quantitative ethnobotanical indices, plants commonly used were Acalphya spp., (Copper leaf), Curcuma longa (Tumeric), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass), Erythroxylum hypericifolium (Bois ronde), Lens culinaris (Lentil) and Mentha piperita (Mentha). Interestingly, the present study is the first attempt to record CAM management of women’s health in Mauritius.ConclusionsThis study can be considered as a primary information resource recording the current use of CAM by women in Mauritius.     

Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with mental disorders in Turkey

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and the associated socio-demographic factors among patients with mental disorders in the Turkish community.MethodsOne thousand and twenty-seven patients with a diagnosis of mental disorders who were attending psychiatric outpatient clinics in five Turkish cities were interviewed. A survey questionnaire, which included questions on socio-demographic characteristics and CAM use, was administered face-to-face by psychiatrists.Results22.2% of patients with mental disorders were using some form of CAM in the Turkish community. CAM and medication concurrent users had a higher level of education and income compared to CAM users only or medicine users only (p < 0.001). The most common type of CAM used was herbal therapy (n = 146, 64%).ConclusionUse of CAM by patients with mental disorders should be investigated and taken into account by psychiatrists.     

Complementary and alternative medicine use in a pediatric neurology clinic

To evaluate the frequency and determinants of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in children attending a pediatric neurology clinic in North Jordan, a parent completed questionnaire survey of children attending the pediatric neurology clinic at King Abdullah University Hospital from March to July 2008 was conducted. A review of 176 completed questionnaires showed that 99 parents (56%) had used CAM for their child's specific neurological illness. The most common modalities were prayer/reciting the Quran (77%), religious healers (30%), massage with olive oil (32%), and consumption of honey products (29%). The most common reason was religious beliefs in 68%. None reported lack of trust in conventional medicine as the reason behind seeking CAM. Factors significantly associated with CAM use were speech delay, belief in its usefulness, father's age more than 30 years, and mothers with education less than high school. CAM had a supplementary role in relation to traditional western medicine use.     

Complementary and alternative medicine use amongst Palestinian diabetic patients

Objectives

To measure the frequency of herbal medicine use among patients with diabetes mellitus in Palestine; to determine demographic characteristics that may increase the likelihood of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use and to find out how benefits, if any, were perceived by patients.

Method

Cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient diabetes departments at 7 Governmental Hospitals. The method was based on semi-structured questionnaires.

Results

A total of 1883 patients with diabetes were interviewed. Of the participants, 51.9% (n = 977) reported taking herbs primarily bought from Palestine (98%) and used in crude form mainly as decoctions (44.1%). The five most common herbal products used were: Trigonella berythea (Fabaceae) (n = 191, 19.6%), Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) (n = 132, 13.5%), Olea europaea (Oleaceae) (n = 131, 13.4%), Teucrium capitatum (Lamiaceae) (n = 111, 11.4%), and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Lauraceae) (n = 105, 10.8%). Most CAM users were above 40 years old 79.6% (n = 778), predominantly female (53.2%) and residents of refugee camps and rural areas (59.3, and 53.5, respectively). The recommendations of a family member or friend was the main factor prompting the use of CAM (40.2 and 37.1%). Most CAM users (71.7%) were satisfied with the perceived effects. Interestingly, 68% of patients recruited in the study did not disclose CAM use to their physicians or pharmacists.

Conclusion

Use of herbal therapies in diabetes is highly prevalent in Palestine. More than 70% of those using CAM (977, 51.9%) reported positive benefits including a feeling of slowing down disease progression, symptom relief, disease resolution or a reduction in the side effects of allopathic medication. Use of CAM should be explored with patients before clinical decisions are made. There is a need for health education relating to herbal use in conjunction with conventional medicines in diabetes.     

Complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer: A systematic review

Background and purposeComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in cancer is increasing. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine demographic profiles and prevalence and reasons for use in cancer patients.MethodsIn this systematic review, the databases OVID, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for studies on CAM use in cancer between 2009 and June 2018.ResultsThe results showed that an average of 51% of cancer patients used CAM. Common independent demographic characteristics associated with CAM use were younger, female cancer patients, having higher education, earning a higher income and having previously used CAM. Frequent reasons for use, grouped into themes were shown to be to influence their cancer and general health and to treat complications of the cancer or therapy.ConclusionThe review provides an insight and will serve to better inform health professionals on how this population is using CAM.     

Complementary and alternative medicine in obstetrics.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, survey and review randomized controlled studies of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for obstetric treatment or health promotion. METHODS: The MEDLINE database was searched to identify randomized controlled trials of CAM treatment and therapies in obstetrics. Studies examining modalities for treatment or improvement of health status were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-four articles assessing a variety of health modalities met the criteria for inclusion. Acupressure and ginger for prenatal nausea and vomiting, moxibustion for version of breech presentation, sterile water injections for back pain relief in labor, and perineal massage to prevent perineal trauma have three or more studies demonstrating beneficial effect. Other interventions have been studied less, and evidence for them is limited. CONCLUSIONS: Some CAM interventions have evidence of effectiveness for use in obstetric patients, while others require further investigation before they can be considered for use in practice.     

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Jordanian patients with chronic diseases

Purpose: This study explores the prevalence of herbal medicine use in a cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), dyslipidemia and hypertension (HTN) in Jordan.Methods: The study took the form of a cross-sectional survey of patients attending the outpatient departments at The Jordan University Hospital (JUH), in Amman. The method was based on semi-structured questionnaire.Results: A total of 700 CKD, dyslipidemia and hypertension patients were interviewed. Of the participants, 7.6% (n = 53) reported using herbs. Most of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) users were older than 50 years of age (n = 42; 79.3%) and predominantly female (54.1%, n = 29). The majority of patients in this group had hypertension (n = 44, 83.0%), followed by dyslipidemia (n = 32, 60.4%). The most common herbal product to be used was Hibiscus sabdariffa (22.5%).Conclusion: This study confirmed that there is an appreciable prevalence of herbal use among patients with CKD, dyslipidemia and hypertension in Jordan.     

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among hypertensive patients in Palestine

PurposeTo explore the frequency of CAM use among hypertensive patients in Palestine, determine demographic characteristics that may increase the likelihood of CAM use and to find out how benefits were perceived by patients.MethodsAcross-sectional survey of patients attending outpatient hypertension clinics. The method was based on a semi-structured questionnaire.ResultsOf the 4575 hypertensive patients interviewed, 85.7% respondents used at least one type of CAM. Of the 3921 CAM users, 62.13% reported taking herbs. Most of these users were >50 years old, of low educational level, and had a family history of HTN, 62.9% claimed to have obtained the desired effect from taking these herbs; however, 68.1% did not disclose this fact to their health care providers, 83 plant taxa were reported by these patients, Allium sativum was the most commonly used herb.ConclusionsThe use of CAM, particularly herbal therapies for hypertension treatment, is highly prevalent in Palestine.     

Complementary alternative medicine use among a sample of Muslim Jordanian oncology patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies among a sample of Muslim Jordanian patients diagnosed with cancer.MethodInterviews using a modified structured questionnaire from Lengacher et al. survey with a convenient sample of 123 patients diagnosed with cancer.ResultOf 123 participants, 54.5% were men, with a mean age of 44.5 years (26.8%) had some college education and 82.9% were living in urban areas. The mean number of the therapies used was 6.6 (SD = 4.3, R = 0–17). There was a significant positive moderate correlation between the time since diagnosis and the number of CAM therapies used (r = 0.3, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between chemotherapy as a treatment modality and the number of CAM therapies used (r = 0.4, P < 0.05). The highest usage of dietary and nutritional supplements occurred with honey, olive oil, black seeds, and dates. The highest stress reducing CAM techniques included reading the Holy Qur’ãn, praying, and Ruqya. Other CAM treatments involved ZamZam water, cinnamon, black seeds oil, and the use of a plant called Zaamtoot (primrose).ConclusionEven though a range of CAM therapies are used by Jordanian oncology patients it is suggested that both patients and medical staff be educated about the possible benefits or harmful effects of using these treatments.     

Complementary and alternative medicine in Australia: a contemporary overview

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a thriving sector in Australian health care although it remains largely disconnected from the health mainstream. This article looks at the recent history of CAM in Australia with a particular focus on regulation, education and representation by professional associations. Social forces are coercing the two health systems into relationship but this is occurring in an ad hoc and uncoordinated manner as institutions and professions respond to consumer needs for integration.     

Complementary and alternative medicine use in British Columbia--a survey of HIV positive people on antiretroviral therapy

In 2002, the British Columbia (BC) Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS collected final detailed data on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in their HIV treatment program. This cross-sectional study of 682 participants examines types and determinants of CAM use in this program, and examines adverse effects associated with CAM use and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among the 47% ever CAM users in the included population, vitamins/minerals (81%), meditation/yoga (36%), massage (31%), marijuana (30%), dietary supplements (24%), and herbal medicines (19%), were most commonly used. Multivariate analysis indicated CAM users were less likely to have low education (AOR=0.51), more likely to be unemployed (AOR=1.52), more likely to have been on ART longer (AOR=1.19), and more likely to experience objective, action-requiring (OA) side effects (AOR=1.45). CAM use is common. Both patients and health professionals should be aware of potential toxicities and drug interactions related to the use of CAM and HIV/AIDS treatment.     

Complementary medicine use in multi-ethnic paediatric outpatients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and determinants of complementary medicine (CM) use in a multi-ethnic paediatric outpatient population. METHODOLOGY: A parent-completed questionnaire survey of paediatric outpatients attending general and sub-specialist outpatient clinics at a North West London hospital during September to December 2005. RESULTS: Parents' use of CM for their children in this multi-ethnic population was higher than expected at 37%. Use was correlated with parental CM use and education but independent of ethnic group. Parental CM use and child's health status were significant predictors of child CM use. The main reason for using CM was word of mouth (45%) and the main source of information was friends and family (51%). The most popular treatments used for children were homeopathy and herbal medicine (used by 30% and 28% of CM users, respectively). 88% of CM was bought over the counter and 53% of CM use was not reported to their doctor. Parents also used traditional complementary remedies for their children. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CM use in children is higher than previously estimated in the UK. This indicates the need for greater professional awareness of CM as part of clinical care. There is a need to acknowledge the beliefs that inform parents' decision-making process.