Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Slovakia: Results of a National Population Survey

Female Gender ◽

Medical Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Religious Healing ◽

Cam Use ◽

Introduction: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe has intensely increased in recent decades. To acquire information about the patterns and trends of CAM use in Slovakia, a nationwide representative survey was conducted on Slovakian adult population. Methods: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was administered to the general population of Slovakian residents aged 18 years and over. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face by professional interviewers. Data were collected during September 2019 as a part of an omnibus survey on a variety of subjects. Results: Altogether, 82.4% of the respondents reported either regular CAM method use or the lifetime prevalence of such use. The most frequently reported group of methods were biologically based treatments (78.9%), followed by manipulative and body-based methods (54.4%), mind-body interventions (31.9%), whole medical systems (18.2%) and energy therapies (4.2%). Vitamins (71.1%), herbal teas (68.1%), massages (53.6%), religious healing (20.3%) and special diets (18.8%) were the five most commonly preferred CAM modalities. It was indicated that female respondents with higher household income are more likely to use CAM. Conclusions: Female gender, higher income and higher education are significant predictors of CAM use. The study highlights the association between satisfaction with healthcare systems, health situations, and the use of CAM.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Slovakia: Results of a National Population Survey

10.31124/advance.14815149.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ivan Soucek ◽

Roman Hofreiter

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Female Gender ◽

Medical Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Religious Healing ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Slovakia: Results of a National Population Survey

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/21582440211068480 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 215824402110684

Author(s):

Ivan Souček ◽

Roman Hofreiter

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Adult Population ◽

Female Gender ◽

Medical Systems ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe has intensely increased in recent decades. To acquire information about the patterns and trends of CAM use in Slovakia, a nationwide representative survey was conducted on Slovakian adult population. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was administered to the general population of Slovakian residents aged 18 years and over. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face by professional interviewers. Data were collected during September 2019 as a part of an omnibus survey on a variety of subjects. Altogether, 82.4% of the respondents reported either regular CAM method use or the lifetime prevalence of such use. The most frequently reported group of methods were biologically based treatments (78.9%), followed by manipulative and body-based methods (54.4%), mind-body interventions (31.9%), whole medical systems (18.2%), and energy therapies (4.2%). Vitamins (71.1%), herbal teas (68.1%), massages (53.6%), religious healing (20.3%), and special diets (18.8%) were the five most commonly preferred CAM modalities. Female gender, higher income and higher education are significant predictors of CAM use. The study highlights the association between satisfaction with healthcare systems, health situations, and the use of CAM.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Lebanese Adults: Results from a National Survey

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/682397 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

F. Naja ◽

M. Alameddine ◽

L. Itani ◽

H. Shoaib ◽

D. Hariri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Lebanon.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted through face to face interviews on a nationally representative sample of 1,475 Lebanese adults. The survey questionnaire explored the sociodemographic and health related characteristics as well as the types and modes of CAM use. The main outcome in this study was the use of CAM during the last 12 months.Results. Prevalence of CAM use was 29.87% with “folk herbs” being the most commonly used (75%). Two out of five CAM users indicated using it as alternative to conventional therapies and only 28.4% of users disclosed the use of CAM to their physician. CAM use was significantly associated with higher income, presence of a chronic disease, and lack of access to needed health care. Lower odds of CAM use were observed among older adults and those with a higher education level.Conclusions. This study revealed a high prevalence of CAM use in Lebanon. Health policy and decision makers need to facilitate proper regulation and integration of CAM into mainstream medicine and educate health care providers and the public alike on the safe and effective use of CAM therapies.

Does perceived control predict Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use among patients with lung cancer? A cross-sectional survey

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-014-2220-5 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 2465-2472 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Joshua Bauml ◽

Corey J. Langer ◽

Tracey Evans ◽

Sheila N. Garland ◽

Krupali Desai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Perceived Control ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer patients at a private hospital in Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e14144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e14144-e14144

Author(s):

Eliza Dalsasso Ricardo ◽

Denise Oishi ◽

Marcelo Oliveira Dos Santos ◽

Renata D'Alpino D'Alpino

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Patients ◽

Cam Use ◽

e14144 Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is relatively common among cancer patients. Data regarding CAM use in Brazil is scarce. We sought to define CAM use by cancer patients and investigate factors that might influence it. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults diagnosed with any cancer type who came to appointments at our outpatient clinic in January 2020. Chi-square tests were used to investigate the association between CAM use and age and gender Results: We interviewed 156 patients who consented to the face-to-face interview and all of them completed the questionnaires. Most patients were between 51 and 70 years-old; 56% were female and 55% had their cancer diagnosed in the last 12 months. Most cancer types were breast (17.4%), colorectal (16.7%), and lung (16.1%). More than 90% of the participants were on any active treatment. The prevalence of current CAM use was 29.6%. 58.7% of the patients did not believe CAM has anti-cancer properties, including 32.6% of patients who reported CAM use. Two-thirds of the participants have never discussed about CAM with their oncologists. Only 5.1% of the respondents would abandon conventional cancer treatment in order to use just CAM. Among CAM users, 55% referred multiple therapies use. Of those therapies, spiritual surgery was the most prevalent one. There was a significant higher proportion of females reporting CAM use (p = 0,029) as well as a higher proportion of CAM use among younger patients (p = 0,008). Conclusions: CAM use was common among our study population, especially spiritual surgery. Women and younger patients were more prone to use CAM. Although most patients would not abandon conventional treatment, many of them have never discussed about CAM with their oncologists.

Complementary and alternative medicine use by glioma patients in Switzerland

Neuro-Oncology Practice ◽

10.1093/nop/npy035 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 237-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Günter Eisele ◽

Ulrich Roelcke ◽

Katrin Conen ◽

Fabienne Huber ◽

Tobias Weiss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Who Grade ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Cam Use ◽

Health Organization ◽

Abstract Background During the course of disease, most glioma patients learn that there is no cure for their tumor. It is therefore not uncommon for patients or caregivers to seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. Patterns of CAM use vary across the globe, but little is known about the type of, and motivation for, CAM use in most countries. Methods Here we conducted a cross-sectional survey of CAM use in patients harboring gliomas of World Health Organization (WHO) grades II to IV at 3 specialized neuro-oncology centers in Switzerland. Results Of 208 patients who returned the survey, approximately half reported having used or using CAM. CAM use was associated with younger age. Patients suffering from WHO grade II gliomas were less likely to indicate CAM use. The leading motivation for CAM use was to contribute actively to the treatment of the disease. CAM use was commonly not counseled or supervised by a health care professional. Cost and issues of reimbursement were not an important factor in the decision against or for CAM use. Conclusions Physicians caring for glioma patients should be aware of and explore CAM use to better understand patients’ attitudes toward their disease, to provide counseling, and to identify potential interactions of CAM with standard treatments for gliomas.

Complementary and alternative medicine use in the prevention of COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey in Kerala, India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20214267 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 5329

Author(s):

G. K. Mini ◽

Chitra A. Grace ◽

Lordson Jinbert

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Kerala State ◽

Background: Globally, there is evidence of increased Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use during epidemics, and pandemics. Recent studies have shown that there is an increased use of CAM during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to investigate the pattern of CAM practice in the prevention of COVID-19 pandemic among adults in Kerala state, India.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the first week of June 2021 among adults residing in Kerala state. The study used a pre-tested google form to collect the data. A total of 548 individuals aged 18-84 years answered an online questionnaire for the present study.Results: A higher proportion (52.4%) of participants were aged <30 years, 30.8% were males, 55.3% rural residents, 26.6% health care professionals, and 51.1% had a regular income. CAM use prevalence was 59.3% (95% CI: 55.1 to 63.3). Social media (46.9%) was the most frequently reported source of CAM. The age-adjusted analysis results showed that CAM use was higher among health professionals (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.41-3.27), those who did not believe that vaccine could prevent coronavirus (OR: 1.91 CI: 1.08-3.39), and those who were having no regular income (OR: 1.56, CI: 1.04-2.34), compared to their counterparts.Conclusions: Close to 60% of CAM use in this population is a public health concern since the efficacy of CAM use for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 is not known. The CAM users will be under a sense of false protection, which is likely to negate vaccination and seeking proper treatment for COVID -19 in Kerala.

Second Edition in 2020 of the HSI Journal Volume 1 Issue 2 Publication - Health Sciences Investigations Journal ◽

Complementary and alternative medicine use among hypertensive patients receiving biomedical treatment: a cross-sectional survey at the LEKMA General Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

10.46829/hsijournal.2020.12.1.2.121-127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 121-127

Author(s):

Magzy F. Dumfeh ◽

Collins S. K. Ahorlu

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Municipal Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Antihypertensive Medications ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Cam Use ◽

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is on the increase globally and there is an increased rate of usage among hypertensive patients. Objective: This study was designed to describe CAM use among hypertensive patients at a municipal hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of hypertensive patients at a Municipal Assembly Hospital was conducted. Respondents were made up of 209 (99 CAM users and 110 non-Cam users) selected randomly from patients attending the hypertension clinic. The pattern of CAM use, clinical profiles of respondents, and their attitudes toward CAM were examined. Descriptive statistics and the Chi Square test were used for data analysis. Results: Out of the 209 patients interviewed, 99 (47.36%) had used at least one type of CAM mostly herbal products (72.72%, n =72).The CAM users demonstrated poorer adherence to antihypertensive medications (30.30%, n =30) as compared to non-CAM users (8.08%, n = 80). We observed a positive association between non-CAM use and medication adherence (p = 0.001). The majority (72.72%, n = 72) of the CAM users claimed to have obtained the expected effect, however,89.89% (n = 89) did not disclose their CAM use to their physician. They cited lack of inquiry by physicians as the main reason for non-disclosure. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of hypertensive patients receiving conventional treatment at a municipal hospital also use CAM therapies. Physicians should be encouraged to inquire about the history of CAM use among their patients to be able to advise patients concerning the possible adverse reactions and drug interactions.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer patients at two cancer centers in Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.12060 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 12060-12060

Author(s):

Eliza Dalsasso Ricardo ◽

Denise Oishi ◽

Angel Ayumi Tome Uchiyama ◽

Catarina Marchon da Silva ◽

Josué Bravo Espinoza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Centers ◽

Cam Use ◽

12060 Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is relatively common among cancer patients. Data regarding CAM use in Brazil is scarce. We sought to define CAM use among cancer patients and investigate factors that might influence it. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults diagnosed with any cancer type who came to appointments at two cancer centers in Brazil from January 2020 to January 2021. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were conducted by using Logistic Regression models to determine the association of covariates with binary outcome. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC). All tests were 2-sided, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In total, 319 patients who consented to the face-to-face interview were included and all of them completed the questionnaires. Most patients (52.4%) were between 51 and 70 years-old, 59,6% were female, 85,2% were from the private service and 67% had college graduate/baccalaureate. Most cancer types were from gastrointestinal tract (31,4%), breast (20.4%), lung (12.3%) and genitourinary type. More than 85% of the participants were on any active cancer treatment. The prevalence of current CAM use was 34.2% and 50.2% of the patients did not believe CAM has anti-cancer properties. Two-thirds of the participants have never discussed about CAM with their oncologists. Only 4.1% of the respondents would abandon conventional cancer treatment in order to use just CAM. Among CAM users, 55% referred multiple therapies use. Of those therapies, spiritual surgery was the most prevalent one. There was a significant higher proportion of females reporting CAM use (p = 0,008) as well as a higher proportion of CAM use among private patients (p = 0,008). Conclusions: CAM use was common among our study population, especially spiritual surgery. Women and private patients were more prone to use CAM. Although most patients would not abandon conventional treatment, many of them have never discussed about CAM with their oncologists.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Breast Cancer Patients at a Medical Center in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Integrative Cancer Therapies ◽

10.1177/1534735420983910 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 153473542098391

Author(s):

Chieh-Ying Chin ◽

Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽

Shin-Chung Wu ◽

Chien-Ting Liu ◽

Yun-Fang Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Medical Center ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC). Methods BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached. Results A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends. Conclusion A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.