Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 491
To ascertain levels of use and socio-economic correlates of CAMs in an adult general population, using a routine national survey tool.
In March 2001, an eight-question module was added to the interview schedule of the ONS Omnibus Survey, sampling 2761 adults in England, Scotland and Wales. Topics included practitioner-based use of 23 named CAM therapies in the past 12 months. Data were analysed in conjunction with routinely sought demographic and geographical data.
The response achieved was 65%. An estimated 10.0% (95% CI 8.7–11.5%) respondents received any CAM therapy from a practitioner in the past year. An estimated 6.5% (95% CI 5.4–7.6) used one of the five main therapies (acupuncture, homoeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy or herbal medicine). Most users had received more than one CAM therapy. CAM use was reported in all age groups by both sexes. Complementary and alternative medicine use was similar in England, Scotland and Wales, but within England use was significantly lower in the North. There was a significant positive association between CAM use and non-manual occupational class, years in education and income. Personal recommendation was the main reason for choosing a CAM practitioner, followed by a GP recommendation. More than half of the respondents had not told their GP that they had consulted a CAM practitioner.
Strong correlations between CAM use and gross socio-economic indicators are demonstrated in the survey. The population estimates of use are within the range reported elsewhere, but the small number of CAM users in the sample obtained restricted exploration of relevant subgroup behaviours. Repeated National surveys of this type could be a useful vehicle for collecting information about CAMs routinely.
This work was supported by the UK Department of Health. The views expressed are, however, those of the authors alone.
