Use of complementary medicinal therapies in West Pomerania: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Prior studies suggested a high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Germany. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe in more detail the utilization of CAM, (2) to compare characteristics between CAM users and non-users, and (3) to delineate information on source of prescription and insurance coverage of 14 specific CAM therapies. METHODS: We extracted information derived from a computer-aided personal interview on the use of CAM, medical history, behavioral, and sociodemographic characteristics, all of which were generated by the Study of Health in Pomerania (formerly part of East Germany), a cross-sectional population-based survey. We analyzed data from 4291 individuals aged 20-79 years. RESULTS: Use of any CAM within the previous year was reported by 6.0% of the population. The modality used most widely among CAM users was active and passive exercise therapy (including various massage therapies). CAM users, when compared to non-users, were more likely to be female, experienced more years of education, were more physically active, less often overweight, reported a lower self-rated physical health status, and were more likely to visit an outpatient facility during the last year. There were higher proportions of several chronic diseases in CAM users than non-users. The results of this survey suggest that CAM therapies were most often utilized to alleviate pain. Most CAM therapies were prescribed by a physician. Reimbursement schemes were complex and differed according to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The low estimate of CAM use might be explained by specific characteristics of the study region, including changes after the German reunification. CAM users and non-users differ with respect to several behavioral, sociodemographic and medical characteristics.

[The influence of psychosocial factors on mental well-being and physical complaints before and after undergoing an in-patient abortion]. / Psychosoziale Merkmale und subjektives Befinden bei Frauen vor und nach stationärem indikationslosen Schwangerschaftsabbruch.

In this study, 57 women were examined in terms of the influence of different psychosocial factors on their subsequent mental well-being and physical complaints one day before, one day after, and 3 months after undergoing an in-patient abortion. Furthermore a control group of 40 in-patients (women with pregnancy related problems) were included in the study. The results show that prior to the abortion, most women reported a multitude of psychological and physical problems. However, it was also shown that for the majority of the women interviewed, mental well-being and physical complaints improved significantly one day and 3 months after the abortion. While feelings such as relief predominated immediately postoperatively, after 3 months, participants reported feeling cheerful and interested in activities. Further, it was demonstrated that women whose general mood was more pronouncedly anxious-depressive one day prior to operation later (after 3 months) reported many complaints and worse well-being. It appears that these women were not able to experience the abortion as a problem solutions. Finally, the great importance of the quality of their relationship and cohesion was demonstrated in the decision to abort, while pregnancy counselling was found to have no effect.