Use of complementary and alternative medicine in Europe: Health-related and sociodemographic determinants

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this research was to study health-related and sociodemographic determinants of the use of different complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments in Europe and differences in CAM use in various European countries. Methods: The study was based on a design-based logistic regression analysis of the European Social Survey (ESS), Round 7. We distinguished four CAM modalities: manual therapies, alternative medicinal systems, traditional Asian medical systems and mind-body therapies. Results: In total, 25.9% of the general population had used CAM during the last 12 months. Typically, only one CAM treatment had been used, and it was used more often as complementary rather than alternative treatment. The use of CAM varied greatly by country, from 10% in Hungary to almost 40% in Germany. Compared to those in good health, the use of CAM was two to fourfold greater among those with health problems. The health profiles of users of different CAM modalities varied. For example, back or neck pain was associated with all types of CAM, whereas depression was associated only with the use of mind-body therapies. Individuals with difficult to diagnose health conditions were more inclined to utilize CAM, and CAM use was more common among women and those with a higher education. Lower income was associated with the use of mind-body therapies, whereas the other three CAM modalities were associated with higher income. Conclusions: Help-seeking differed according to the health problem, something that should be acknowledged by clinical professionals to ensure safe care. The findings also point towards possible socioeconomic inequalities in health service use.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe

“…These results were mostly replicated in the subgroup analysis of CAM treatments, with the exception that financial strain and employment were found to be significant predictors of physical but not consumable CAM use. Prior studies have found greater CAM use among females [10,32,33]. Females have been found to report higher rates of unmet need [18], more health care utilization [34] and poorer health [35].…”

“…For example, females, those in higher socioeconomic groups and those of middle age, have all been found to be more frequent users of CAM [8,9]. More recent work has examined the health-related and sociodemographic determinants of CAM treatments specifically in Europe, finding that use of CAM is greater among those with health problems, and more common among women and those with a higher education [10].…”

“…There is currently no established way of categorizing or analyzing CAM treatments in social research. Some studies combine a variety of CAM treatments into one overall variable [5], while others choose to categorize treatments into analytical subgroups [10,[20][21][22]. Davis and colleagues [21] for example, categorize CAM use into practitioner-based and self-administered treatments.…”

Informatics and Artificial Intelligence Approaches that Promote Use of Integrative Health Therapies in Nursing Practice: A Scoping Review

“…Integrative health therapies are whole person, person-centered, and relationship-based approaches encompassing biomedical and nonbiomedical therapies based on scientific evidence for optimal health and well-being [1,2]. Surveys indicated that the prevalence of IH therapy use among adults was 33.2%, 25.9%, and 63.1% in the U.S., European countries, and Australia, respectively [3][4][5]. Integrative health therapies are especially sought by patients with chronic conditions for preventing future health problems, expanding treatment options, and maximizing well-being [6][7][8].…”

Traditional and Complementary Medicine; An Evaluation on Applications in Turkey

“…Avrupa genelinde toplanan 2014 yılı verilerine göre yapılan benzer bir çalışmada, 12 aylık süreçte tamamlayıcı ve alternatif yöntemlerin kullanımı sorgulanmış ve çalışılan popülasyonun %25,9'unun bu tedavi modalitelerinden birini kullandığı izlenmiştir. 3 Bu çalışma incelendiğinde, Avrupa'da tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tedaviler olarak tanımlanan bu tür uygulamaların yaygın bir şekilde kullanıldığı görülmektedir. Bu uygulamalar sadece koruyucu hekimlikte değil tedavi maksadıyla da tercih edilmektedir.…”