Use of complementary and alternative medicine among women in New York City: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study documents the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), among White, African American, and Hispanic/Latina women living in New York City. A pilot to a national survey of CAM use among American women, this study explores women's use of categories of CAM and various CAM practitioners, racial and ethnic differences in CAM use, and women's perceptions regarding the effectiveness of CAM. DESIGN AND LOCATION: Data were collected from women residing in New York City using random digit dialing/computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). The sample of 300 had equal numbers of women (n = 100) who self-identified as White, Hispanic/Latina, and African American, equally stratified by age (below and above age 40). SUBJECTS: Eligibility requirements included self-identification as Anglo/white, African American, or Hispanic/Latina and between ages 18 and 80. MEASURES: Three distinct categories of CAM were explored: (1) medicinal teas, homeopathic remedies, herbs, vitamins; (2) yoga, meditation, spiritual practices; and (3) manual therapies including chiropractic, massage, acupressure. Health concerns of interest were those frequently described in prior focus groups, and included reproductive health issues (e.g., pregnancy, menstruation, menopause) as well as other common women's health problems (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, headaches). RESULTS: More than half the sample has used a CAM treatment or remedy, and 40% have visited a CAM practitioner. Among users, half have used only one of the CAM categories, approximately one third have used two, and 16% used all three. The category of CAM used most often was medicinal tea/herbs/vitamins; the practitioners visited most frequently were chiropractors (18%) and nutritionists (17%). Racial and ethnic differences in CAM use were minimal, and approximately one third of all treatments used were rated "very effective" by users. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial utilization of CAM remedies and treatments for a variety of women's health concerns is observed. Further inquiry with larger samples of women is recommended.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among Dominican emergency department patients.

This small, pilot study examined presenting complaint, brief health history, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and sociodemographic characteristics, among patients attending the emergency department (ED) of a large urban hospital. The sample (n = 50) was primarily Dominican and of low socioeconomic status. Almost half had used CAM for their presenting complaint or another health problem during the past year, most commonly in the form of medicinal plants made into herbal teas. CAM users were more likely to be female, longer-term residents of the United States, and to have also used religious practices for health problems. Subjects who had used CAM for any problem other than the presenting complaint during the past year rated its effectiveness higher than subjects who had used CAM for their presenting complaint. In conclusion, it is likely that a significant proportion of Dominican ED patients use CAM, suggesting that they should be asked about their CAM use during triage.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among African-American and Hispanic women in New York City: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among African-American and Hispanic women residing in New York City, including use of specific treatments and practitioners, perceived effectiveness of CAM, and culturally specific words or expressions for CAM. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted with two groups of African-American and two groups of Hispanic women (age 18-40 and 41-80) as preparation for the development of a quantitative instrument to assess the prevalence and determinants of CAM use among women of various ethnic backgrounds. Participants were recruited using a standard random digit dial procedure. RESULTS: The most commonly used CAM remedies were teas and herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements, prayer and spiritual healing, meditation and relaxation techniques. Practitioners most frequently seen were chiropractors, herbalists, and acupuncturists. Use of alternative remedies and practitioners, particularly the latter, was most common among older women in both groups. Younger Hispanic women reported the most skepticism toward CAM, especially when it was used by relatives as a substitute for conventional medical care. Overall, these African-American and Hispanic women used CAM for a wide range of health conditions and for prevention. Few racial and ethnic differences emerged in patterns of CAM use for either self-care or treatment by practitioners, but there was a distinct age variation, especially in attitudes toward CAM.