537 Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines by Children Suffering from Asthma at Mangalore, India

Abstract

Background

Patients with chronic diseases including asthma, have a greater tendency to use Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as they are more concerned about the adverse effects of conventional medicine, dissatisfaction with their medical care, as well as a subjective feeling of health improvement with use of CAM. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the use of CAM, reasons for use of CAM, and sources of information about CAM among paediatric asthmatic patients in outpatient department and urban health centre.

Methods

Following approval from Institutional Ethics committee, the data for this cross-sectional study was collected from parents of 125 paediatric patients diagnosed with asthma for more than a year waiting to see the doctor in the outpatient clinic in teaching hospitals and urban health centre of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India during the period from March 2010 to September 2010. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire in Kannada was distributed to the parents, the purpose of the study was explained, assurance of anonymity was conveyed, and emphasized that the patient's decision to complete or decline to complete the survey would not affect his/her healthcare quality in any way. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants.

Results

Data regarding 125 children with a mean age of 9.06 years were collected, the majority were male (n = 76, 60.8%). The prevalence of ever-CAM use was 72.8% (n = 91). Sixty-three males (69.2%) used CAM compared to 28 females (30.8%) ( P < 0.001). Fifty-six (61.5%) CAM users had not discussed use of CAM with their doctors. The main reason of non-disclosure was "the doctor never asked" (n = 59, 64.8%), and the main sources of information about CAM were family and relatives (n = 45, 49.4%). The majority of asthmatic patients used Ayurvedic medicines and mixtures (n = 35, 38.5%), foods (n = 18, 19.7%) and herbs (n = 16, 17.6%). About 76% (n = 69) of asthmatic patients perceived CAM as good for their disease management.

Conclusions

Use of CAM among asthmatic patients is relatively high, particularly among females. The majority of asthmatic patients valued the use of CAM. Health education of asthmatic patients about CAM is highly recommended.