Complementary of alternative? Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Finnish children
Siponen, Sanna; Ahonen, Riitta; Kettis-Lindblad, Åsa; Hämeen-Anttila, Katri (2012)
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Siponen, Sanna
Ahonen, Riitta
Kettis-Lindblad, Åsa
Hämeen-Anttila, Katri
2012
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Tiivistelmä
Purpose The aim of this study was to measure patterns of
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among
Finnish children and to explore whether CAM use among
children is mainly complementary or alternative.
Methods We carried out a cross-sectional population-based
survey in spring 2007. The study population consisted of a
representative sample (n06,000) of Finnish children under
12 years of age. A questionnaire was sent to their parents,
and 4,032 questionnaires were returned (response rate
67 %). Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression
analysis were conducted to measure factors associated with
CAM use.
Results The prevalence of CAM use among children was
11 %. Fish oils and fatty acids (6 %) followed by probiotics
(4 %) were the most commonly reported CAMs used. Being
the first born, using vitamins and having at least one symptom
predicted the use of CAMs. Parental use of vitamins and
CAMs were also associated with CAM use among children.
In the preceding 2 days, 3 % of children in the study had used
only CAMs, and 7 % had used a CAM concomitantly with
prescribed and/or over-the-counter medicines.
Conclusions Our results indicate that the use of CAMs
among Finnish children is mainly for improving health
and alleviating symptoms, especially in families where at
least one parent also uses these modalities. CAMs were
mainly used as complementary rather than as an alternative
to conventional care. Healthcare professionals should be
aware of this complementary use of CAMs and medicines
in patients to avoid risks of potential interactions.
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among
Finnish children and to explore whether CAM use among
children is mainly complementary or alternative.
Methods We carried out a cross-sectional population-based
survey in spring 2007. The study population consisted of a
representative sample (n06,000) of Finnish children under
12 years of age. A questionnaire was sent to their parents,
and 4,032 questionnaires were returned (response rate
67 %). Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression
analysis were conducted to measure factors associated with
CAM use.
Results The prevalence of CAM use among children was
11 %. Fish oils and fatty acids (6 %) followed by probiotics
(4 %) were the most commonly reported CAMs used. Being
the first born, using vitamins and having at least one symptom
predicted the use of CAMs. Parental use of vitamins and
CAMs were also associated with CAM use among children.
In the preceding 2 days, 3 % of children in the study had used
only CAMs, and 7 % had used a CAM concomitantly with
prescribed and/or over-the-counter medicines.
Conclusions Our results indicate that the use of CAMs
among Finnish children is mainly for improving health
and alleviating symptoms, especially in families where at
least one parent also uses these modalities. CAMs were
mainly used as complementary rather than as an alternative
to conventional care. Healthcare professionals should be
aware of this complementary use of CAMs and medicines
in patients to avoid risks of potential interactions.
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