Religiosity and Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Foreign-Born Hispanics in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the association between religiosity and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of foreign-born Hispanic adults, even when excluding prayer as a form of CAM. Data were collected using a self-report Spanish-language survey. Study participants consisted of 306 respondents between the ages of 18 and 79. Most were born in Mexico (56.3%), followed by South America (24.6%), and then Central America (7.4%). Dependent variable measures included mainstream and traditional CAM utilization. Religiosity was measured using eight items representing ritual, consequential, ideological, and experimental domains. After controlling for the potentially confounding influences of age, gender, and income, respondents who reported higher levels of religiosity also reported greater utilization of mainstream and traditional CAM. Previous studies have included prayer as a form of CAM therapy, making it difficult to test the CAM-religiosity association. In this study, even when prayer was not included as a CAM therapy, religiosity was associated with CAM.

Use of and Interests in Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Hispanic Patients of a Community Health Center

“…11,23 We might expect folk medicine to be associated with immigrant culture, but most respondents did not use folk medicine regardless of place of birth. Given that there were not any differences in folk medicine use, it follows that patterns of CAM use among US-born and non-US-born Hispanics in our study were similar.…”

Status of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Hispanics/Latinos in the United States

“…Fatalistic beliefs have been correlated with a variety of negative health outcomes, including CVD, 155 as well as protective factors that reduce drug abuse among Hispanic youths. 139,156,157 Because religious networks and norms sometimes help to guide health behaviors, there is evidence that the deployment of interventions at Hispanic churches can serve as a motivating source of health education and fellowship, similar to what has occurred in the NHB community. 158,159 …”

Health-related religious rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church: their uptake and meanings

“…Spiritual activities to improve and maintain health, such as yoga, have yielded positive effects and have become popular (Lee & Newberg ), while prayer can be considered as one among many alternative and complementary therapies used as adjunct to medical therapies (Heathcote et al . ).…”

“…Religion can reduce adult mortality risk by promoting healthy behaviour (McCullough et al 2000, Powell et al 2003, Ellison & Hummer 2010, and religious attendance is associated with better self-reported health levels across Europe (Nicholson et al 2009). Spiritual activities to improve and maintain health, such as yoga, have yielded positive effects and have become popular (Lee & Newberg 2005), while prayer can be considered as one among many alternative and complementary therapies used as adjunct to medical therapies (Heathcote et al 2011).…”