Research ArticleOriginal Research

Use of and Interests in Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Hispanic Patients of a Community Health Center

Daniel V. Ho, Jannett Nguyen, Michael A. Liu, Annie L. Nguyen and David B. Kilgore
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine March 2015, 28 (2) 175-183; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2015.02.140210

Article Figures & Data

Tables

  • Table 1. Sociodemographic Characteristics of Surveyed Patients at University of California Irvine Family Health Center, May through August 2013 (n = 150)
    CharacteristicsRespondents, % (n)
    Sex
        Male35 (52)
        Female65 (97)
    Age (years)
        18–2925 (37)
        30–3924 (35)
        40–4922 (33)
        50–5917 (25)
        ≥6012 (18)
    Ethnicity
        Hispanic/Latino74 (108)
        Non-Hispanic white16 (23)
        Asian6 (9)
        African American3 (4)
        Other2 (3)
    Birthplace
        United States45 (64)
        Not United States
            Mexico31 (44)
            Central America2 (3)
            Other5 (7)
            Did not specify (non-U.S. location)17 (25)
    Education
        Elementary11 (16)
        High school45 (67)
        College41 (62)
        Postgraduate3 (5)
    Medical Insurance
        Yes56 (83)
        No44 (66)
  • Table 2. Complementary Alternative Medicine Modalities Used Within the Last Year by Total Respondents (n = 150, 240 Responses), US-Born Respondents (n = 64, 106 Responses), and Non-US-Born Respondents (n = 79, 121 Responses)
    Type of ModalityTotal Respondents*US-Born Respondents*Non-US-Born Respondents*
    Vitamins/supplements32 (48)31 (20)33 (26)
    Herbal medicine29 (43)27 (17)29 (23)
    Dietary/nutritional therapy26 (39)41† (26)17 (13)
    Massage24 (36)22 (14)24 (19)
    Meditation/relaxation exercises15 (23)19 (12)11 (9)
    Chiropractic11 (16)11 (7)10 (8)
    Acupuncture7 (11)5 (3)9 (7)
    Yoga7 (11)8 (5)6 (5)
    Cupping3 (5)2 (1)5 (4)
    Energy healing2 (3)2 (1)3 (2)
    Coining1 (1)0 (0)1 (1)
    Curanderismo1 (1)0 (0)1 (1)
    Tai chi1 (1)0 (0)1 (1)
    Espiritismo0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)
    Hypnosis0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)
    Santería0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)
    Other1 (2)0 (0)3 (2)

    • Data are % (n).

    • ↵* Respondents were allowed to list more than one complementary alternative medicine modality.

    • ↵† P < .01, χ2 test, US-born vs non-US-born respondents.

  • Table 3. Most Common Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements Used by Respondents (n = 55)
    Common Vitamins, Supplements, and Herbs UsedRespondents,* % (n)
    Vitamins/supplements
        Multivitamins42 (23)
        Omega-3 fish oil24 (13)
        Calcium20 (11)
        Vitamin C11 (6)
        Vitamin B129 (5)
        Vitamin D9 (5)
        Iron6 (3)
    Herbs
        Herbal tea24 (13)
        Chamomile11 (6)
        Lemon11 (6)
        Mint9 (5)
        Aloe vera4 (2)
        Garlic4 (2)
        Milk thistle4 (2)

    • ↵* Respondents were allowed to list more than one type of herb, vitamin, or supplement.

  • Table 4. Therapies Total Respondents (n = 150, 241 Responses), US-Born Respondents (n = 64, 100 responses), and Non-US-Born Respondents (n = 79, 134 Responses) Were Interested in Having Offered at the Health Center
    Type of TherapyTotal Respondents*US-Born Respondents*Non-US-Born Respondents*
    Classes for healthier cooking35 (53)33 (21)38 (30)
    Informational classes on personal diet and nutrition33 (49)33 (21)35 (28)
    Massage30 (45)27 (17)33 (26)
    Guidance in taking herbs and supplements18 (27)19 (12)19 (15)
    Mind–body (meditation) relaxation techniques16 (24)17 (11)14 (11)
    Yoga13 (20)13 (8)14 (11)
    Acupuncture11 (16)11 (7)11 (9)
    Tai chi3 (4)3 (2)3 (2)
    Other2 (3)2 (1)3 (2)

    • Data are % (n).

    • ↵* Respondents were allowed to choose more than one therapy.

  • Table 5. Total Respondents', Complementary Alternative Medicine Users', and Non–Complementary Alternative Medicine Users' Likert-Scale Responses to Statements Regarding Complementary Alternative Medicine Use
    Response OptionsTotal RespondentsCAM UsersNonusers
    I feel comfortable telling my doctor about CAM therapies I use or might use.
        Strongly agree17 (25)22* (20)9 (5)
        Agree44 (64)56† (50)26 (14)
        No opinion37 (54)20† (18)66 (36)
        Disagree1 (1)1 (1)0 (0)
        Strongly disagree1 (1)1 (1)0 (0)
    I would tell my doctor if I went to a CAM practitioner for treatment.
        Strongly agree14 (20)17 (15)9 (5)
        Agree43 (61)52† (47)26 (14)
        No opinion39 (55)24† (22)62 (33)
        Disagree3 (4)3 (3)2 (1)
        Strongly disagree2 (3)3 (3)0 (0)
    I would like my physician to have basic knowledge of CAM or be able to refer me to someone with more information or skills in CAM therapies.
        Strongly agree17 (24)22 (19)9 (5)
        Agree42 (59)48 (42)32 (17)
        No opinion38 (54)27† (24)56 (30)
        Disagree2 (3)1 (1)4 (2)
        Strongly disagree1 (2)2 (2)0 (0)
    I would like my physician to ask me about any current CAM therapies I use.
        Strongly agree10 (14)10 (9)9 (5)
        Agree37 (54)50† (45)16 (9)
        No opinion48 (70)34† (31)71 (39)
        Disagree2 (3)1 (1)4 (2)
        Strongly disagree3 (4)4 (4)0 (0)

    • Data are % (n).

    • ↵* P < .05, χ2 test, CAM users vs nonusers.

    • ↵† P < .01, χ2 test, CAM users vs nonusers.

    • CAM, complementary alternative medicine.

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