Sex Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Monira Alwhaibi, Usha Sambamoorthi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective. To examine sex differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among adults with multiple chronic conditions. Methods. This study used a cross-sectional design with data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. The participants were interviewed in 2012 and the reference period for the questions in the survey varied from 1 week to 12 months prior to the interview date. The study included adults (age > 21 years) with no missing data on CAM use variables and who had multiple chronic conditions. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the association between sex and CAM use. Results. A significantly higher percentage of women compared to men had ever used CAM (51.5% versus 44.3%); women were more likely to have ever used CAM (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.35-1.65). Among CAM users, a higher percentage of women compared to men used CAM in the past 12 months (53.5% vs. 42.7%); women were more likely to use CAM in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.49-1.97). Factors associated with CAM use in the past 12 months were different for men and women; income and obesity were associated with CAM use in the past 12 months among women and not among men. Conclusion. Among adults with multiple chronic conditions, women were more likely to use CAM as compared to men.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2067095
JournalEvidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume2016
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sex Differences in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this