A survey of self-care responses and health perceptions among users of alternative therapy and conventional medical services in St. Andrew

ABSTRACT

Consultation with alternative therapists appears to be common place. This cross- sectional survey explored the health perceptions and self-care responses to illness among users of alternative therapy and conventional medical services. Data were collected by a self administered questionnaire to 74 users of alternative therapy and 99 from general practitioners. These indicated that users of alternative care were more likely to have the felt-need to improve their health by dietary changes (p<0.0002), and to report improvement in their dietary habits in response to chronic illness (p<0.02). Further, users of conventional medicine were more likely to mention their "family" as being resposible for their personal health (p<0.03). There was no statistically significant differences between respondents from alternative care and conventional medical care with respect to age, sex