 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Christine Wade1, Maria T. Chao, MPA2, Fredi Kronenberg, PhD3, Debra Kalmuss, PhD4, Linda F. Cushman5, and Whitney Dessio1. (1) Center for CAM Research in Aging and Women's Health, Columbia University, 601 W 168 ST Suite 35, New York, NY 10032, 212-342-0105, wade@columbia.edu, (2) Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, (3) Center for CAM Research in Aging and Women's Health, Columbia University, Box 75 P&S, 730 W. 168th St, New York, NY 10032, (4) Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, B-2, New York, NY 10032, (5) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave, New York, NY 10032
National surveys have reported high use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among the general population, but little is known about the prevalence and patterns of use among minorities. As part of a national telephone survey of 3,172 women, we interviewed 804 Chinese women by randomly selecting from a data base of Chinese surnames. Ninety-seven percent of respondents were foreign born and ninety-one percent preferred to be interviewed in Cantonese or Mandarin rather than English.
Most Chinese immigrants have had access to both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) in their countries of origin, and access may continue during life in the U.S.. Certain CAM therapies, such as chiropractic or nutritional supplements may be unknown to immigrants and unavailable in Chinese communities. We analyzed patterns and reasons for CAM use among Chinese women 18 years of age and older. Forty-one percent of respondents had used some form of CAM, (defined as using at least one of eleven domains) in the year before the survey. Twenty-five percent had used TCM herbal treatments and acupuncture and 10% had used more mainstream CAM modalities such as nutritional supplements and chiropractic. Chinese women often reported personal beliefs (39%), wanting "a natural approach" (43%) and influence by family members (41%) as reasons for using CAM. A third of respondents (33%) tried a conventional treatment and did not like the side-effects. Chinese women continue to use Traditional Chinese Medicine for their health care when they come to the U.S.. The influence of acculturation on the use of medical services in Chinese immigrant women warrants further exploration.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Women's Health
Related Web page: www.rosenthal.hs.columbia.edu/
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.