scholarly journals A Mixed Questionnaire Study on Prayer as Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 196-208
Author(s):  
Raphael Nyarkotey Obu ◽  
Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Complementary Alternative Medicine ◽  
Naturopathic Medicine ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background: Prayer is paramount in the spiritual welfare and development of an individual. Interestingly, prayer is also considered as a form of complementary alternative medicine and is employed in primary healthcare delivery. Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of prayer in primary healthcare delivery as a form of complementary healthcare. This study also investigates why patients opt for prayer as an alternative to standard medical care and ultimately to review the scientific aspect of prayer in medicine. Methods: The study incorporates a mixed methods study with integrated data analysis. The respondents in this study were selected practitioners of Naturopathic Medicine with pastoral background, who belong to the Association of Naturopathic Medicine Practitioners in Ghana. Results: Patients and complementary and alternative medicine practitioners alike in Ghana believe that prayer is very important to aid recovery and hence, plays an integral role as complementary medicine in healthcare. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is a role of prayer as complementary alternative medicine in primary healthcare delivery. We therefore hold the view that, pastors at the prayer camps should be well educated in basic medical sciences to enable an effective referral pathway to the standard medical centers.

CAM Use From Western and Asian Perspectives

2022 ◽  
pp. 13-25
Author(s):  
Dawn-Marie Walker ◽  
Mayuree Tangkiatkumjai
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Placebo Effect ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

This chapter will discuss the impact on the provision and integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into the patient's medical pathway and in turn, the prevalence of usage, not only for treatment but also prevention. Similarities and differences of these issues between Western and Asian perspectives will be presented. The authors will provide an overview of regulatory organisations which influence this provision, as well as advertising within the cultures which will have impact on belief of efficacy, which in turn will increase the placebo effect (thereby increasing efficacy). Due to a lack of evidence for CAM advertising in Asian cultures, further research is needed.

scholarly journals The impact of uncertainty in society on the use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine: a comparative study on visits to alternative/traditional/folk health care practitioners

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimpei Misawa ◽  
Rie Ichikawa ◽  
Akiko Shibuya ◽  
Yukihiro Maeda ◽  
Ichiro Arai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Structural ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background While traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) is gaining increased interest worldwide, the structural factors associated with the usage of TCAM at the social level have not been sufficiently explored. We aim to understand the social structure of uncertainty in society that affects the TCAM usage for men and women. Methods We studied 32 countries using data from the International Social Survey Programme and the World Bank. In this study, we defined TCAM usage as visits to an alternative/traditional/folk health care practitioner during the past 12 months. We performed a correlation analysis and used a generalized linear model . Results The prevalence of TCAM usage in terms of visits to practitioners was 26.1% globally, while usage varied across the 32 countries. Generalized linear models showed that unemployment rate was associated with the prevalence of TCAM usage in terms of visits to practitioners. Conclusions At the social-structural level TCAM usage involving visits to practitioners was related to job insecurity. Job insecurity led to a decrease in TCAM usage regarding visits to practitioners. These findings suggest that it is necessary to consider the social-structural factors of uncertainty in society when designing health policies related to TCAM.

Saudi women’s complementary alternative medicine practice and attitudes in superficial injuries first aids

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Samah Fathy Ibrahim ◽  
Sara Almujaiwel ◽  
Shatha Bejad Al-harbi ◽  
Aysha Abdoh Alessa ◽  
Ghaida Abdullah Alkfari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Complementary Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Saudi Women ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Objective: To detect Saudi women’s complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice and attitudes in superficial injuries first aids. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study included 500 women from Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect their socio-demographic characteristics, complementary and alternative medicine practice and attitude in superficial injuries first aids. Results: Most of the participants were young non-married women coming from middle regions. Burn and superficial cuts represented the commonest superficial injuries. Honey and medical herbs; myrrh were the commonly used CAM. Most participants agreed that CAM is available. Half of participants believed that CAM is safe that could be used without medical consultation. Conclusion: There is increased interest and positive attitudes toward CAM use among Saudi women, yet they are not aware about its interactions and side effects. Keywords: Complementary, Alternative medicine, Honey, Medical herbs, Attitude, Safety, Efficacy, female, Saudi Arabia

scholarly journals A Case Study of Complementary Alternative Medicines in Primary Healthcare in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Raphael Nyarkotey Obu ◽  
Lawrencia Aggrey–Bluwey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Complementary Alternative Medicine ◽  
Alternative Medicines

Background: The embryonic field of complementary alternative medicine in Ghana is gradually taking shape. Alternative medicine in Ghana is an important system of medical practice with legislation currently pending for promulgation. Objectives: To support this embryonic industry for potential role into our primary healthcare and public health system, there is a need for robust health care policy in the area of standardization coupled with strong political willpower and research in Ghana. The aim of this case study is to reflect the role of complementary alternative medicine in primary healthcare in Ghana. Methods: The study incorporates a mixed method engaged in integrated data analysis to investigate the challenges of practitioners of complementary alternative medicines as primary healthcare givers. Additionally, it evaluates the pull factors that drive consumers to complementary alternative remedies from the perspectives of the practitioners and finally, to evaluate the opinions of practitioners on consumers’ push factors from mainstream medicine using Ghana as a case model. Results: This study demonstrates that there is a role of complementary alternative medicine in primary healthcare delivery as well as the public health system. However, there are multifactorial challenges in the sector as respondents outlined lack of standardization, disunity and mistrust between complementary alternative medicine and mainstream medical practice. Some of these opposing forces prevent recognition of these remedies into the national healthcare delivery system.  Conclusion: While our findings demonstrate that there is a role of complementary alternative medicines in our public health and primary healthcare in Ghana, we recommend collaboration between complementary alternative and conventional medical practitioners for improvement of quality of life the consumers. We are of the view that, unhealthy competition between the two medical systems should be controlled.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Cancer Patients of Immigration Background

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Wu ◽  
Yunhong Wu ◽  
Vijaya Natarajan ◽  
Prabhsimranjot Singh ◽  
Waseem Cheema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Asian Americans ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
The Us ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background: Previous studies have shown that cancer patients are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) than non-cancer patients for immune enhancement and symptom relief. We hypothesized that cancer patients with immigration background may seek out CAM use more readily than the US born patients due to the impact from their cultural background.Methods: This is a prospective, single institution, questionnaire study on cancer patient for the use of CAM. Correlates of CAM use with age, sex, cancer types, stages, race, birthplace, immigration duration, first language use, marital status, levels of poverty, education and anxiety, were studied.Results: Among 658 patients, the prevalence of CAM use was 66.11%. CAM use was 71.98% in females and 54.34% in males (p=1.13x10-5), 67.09% in patients ≥ 38 years old and 46.88% in patients < 38 years old (p=0.0215). Patients of African descent had higher CAM use (72.73%) than the Caucasians and Others (63.53%) (p=0.0371). There was no difference of CAM use between the US born (68.77%) and the immigrants (63.98%) as a whole; however, Asian born immigrants had lower CAM use (53.77%) than the US born (66.50%) (p=0.0161), while the Latin-American born had a trend towards higher CAM use (74.83%, P=0.0608). The number of years living in the US by the immigrants did not have an association with CAM use. Among psychosocial economic factors, married patients had a lower CAM use (61.23%) than the unmarried (70.85%) (p=0.0102). The levels of education, poverty and anxiety did not show a statistical difference in relation to CAM use, nor was the difference between the early or late stages of disease. Prayer and spirituality, and Dietary medicine were the two most common CAM subtypes used (25.91% and 16.12%, respectively). African Americans showed the highest rate of using Prayer and spirituality (84.72%) while the Asian Americans had the lowest rate (40.32%). Conclusions: Among cancer patients of multi-ethnic and immigration background, CAM use was higher in African American patients, and lower in Asian Americans, as compared to the US born, or to Caucasians. Cultural roots appeared to be a strong influencing factor for the selection of CAM.

Scientific Publications from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in Integrative and Complementary Medicine Journals: A Ten-Year Literature Survey

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
pp. 639-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Qian Li ◽  
Kun-Ming Tao ◽  
Qing-Hui Zhou ◽  
Chang-Quan Ling
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary Medicine ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Medicine Journal ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Practitioners and researchers from China, the largest user of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), have been publishing an increasing number of scientific articles in world-famous CAM journals in recent years. However, the status of CAM research in the three major regions of China, the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong has, until now, not been reported. In this study, we compared articles from these three regions published in international CAM journals from 2000 to 2009 using PubMed database and the Journal Citation Reports. The study results showed that the number of published articles from Mainland China increased significantly from 2000 to 2009, particularly since 2005. Meanwhile, the number of published articles from Taiwan also increased, whereas those from Hong Kong remained steady. Clinical trials and randomized controlled trials from Chinese authors both took a small percentage of the total. The impact factors of the journals in which these articles were published suggested similar academic levels whereas the average number of citation of articles from the Mainland was less than those from the other two regions. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, American Journal of Chinese Medicine, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine were the most popular journals for Chinese authors.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Modern Obstetrics: A Survey of the Central Association of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Members

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Babbar ◽  
Karen B. Williams ◽  
Dev Maulik
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Maternal Fetal Medicine ◽  
Fetal Medicine ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
In Pregnancy ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The use of complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy is currently on the rise. A validated survey was conducted at the Central Association of Obstetrician and Gynecologists annual meeting to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of general obstetricians and gynecologists and maternal-fetal medicine specialists in America. We obtained 128 responses: 73 electronically (57%) and 55 via the paper survey (43%). Forty-five percent reported personally using complementary and alternative medicine and 9% of women respondents used complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy. Overall, 62% had advised their patients to utilize some form of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy. Biofeedback, massage therapy, meditation, and yoga were considered the most effective modalities in pregnancy (median [semi-interquartile range] = 2 [0.5]). Maternal-fetal medicine specialists were significantly more likely to disagree on the use of complementary and alternative medicine for risk reduction of preterm birth compared to obstetricians and gynecologists ( P = .03). As the use of complementary and alternative medicine continues to rise in reproductive-age women, obstetricians will play an integral role in incorporating complementary and alternative medicine use with conventional medicine.

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