The use of complementary and alternative medicine products in preceding two days among Finnish parents - a population survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) has been extensively studied globally among adult and paediatric populations. Parents, as a group, had not been studied to assess their knowledge and attitude to CAM and general medicine use. This study is necessary since parents' attitude to medicine use is known to influence their child's attitude to medicine use later in life. We therefore aim to assess the extent and types of CAM use among Finnish parents, and to determine the factors that promote the CAM use. Also, we aim to determine parents' attitude to general medicine use.MethodsChildren less than 12 years old, as of spring 2007, were identified from the database of the Finnish Population Register Centre and were selected by random sampling. The parents of these children were identified and a questionnaire was sent to them. Only the parent who regularly takes care of the child's medicine was requested to fill the questionnaire. Cross-tabulations and Chi-square test were used to determine the associations between categorical variables. CAMs were defined as natural products that are not registered as medicines, such as homeopathic preparations, dietary food supplements, and traditional medicinal products.ResultsThe response rate of the survey was 67% (n = 4032). The use of CAM was 31% in the preceding two days. The most commonly used CAM products were vitamins and minerals, followed by fish oils and fatty acids. Prescription and OTC medicines were used concomitantly with CAM by one-third of the parents. CAM was frequently used by parents over 30 years (33%), female parents (32%), highly educated parents (35%), and parents with high monthly net income (3000-3999 euros, 34%). The users of CAM had more negative attitudes towards medicines than non-users of CAM.ConclusionsOur findings are in accordance with those of previous studies that women over 30 years of age with a high education and income typically use CAMs. Finnish parents seem to use CAMs as complementary rather than alternative to medicines. Health care professionals should take into consideration both the concomitant use as well as the negative attitudes among CAM users in encounters with the parents.

Beliefs about medicines are strongly associated with medicine-use patterns among the general population

“…Previous studies compared use vs. no use of either medicines or herbal remedies. One fourth of our respondents reported that they use herbal remedies, which is slightly higher than a previous Swedish study but lower than another Swedish study and several international studies . Healthcare utilise herbal remedies differently in different countries and their acceptability as part of the treatment possibilities is viewed differently between countries.…”

Incommensurable Worldviews? Is Public Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines Incompatible with Support for Science and Conventional Medicine?

“…Previous analyses have revealed some robust patterns relating to demographic characteristics, with CAM users consistently found to be younger [31]–[32] (31 Braun et al 2010; Hyland, Lewith & Westoby 2003), female [33]–[36], better educated [33], [37]–[39] and suffering from poor health and chronic illness [34], [37], [40]–[43]. In line with these analyses, we will use multinomial logistic regression to assess the extent to which different orientations toward conventional and alternative medicine are a function of such variables.…”

Quality Assurance Issues in the Use of Dietary Supplements, with Special Reference to Protein Supplements

“…The use of dietary supplements (DSs) widespread in the general population (1,2), in those who participate in sports (3), and in military populations (4). A comprehensive review of the evidence from several surveys of supplement use in military personnel was published in 2008 (4).…”