Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 10
The objective of this study was to evaluate the patterns of alternative medicine (AM) use in Lübeck as a representative population for Germany.
A population-based survey was conducted in 2004 using computer-assisted telephone interviews. A total of 1001 adults (median age 48 years) participated in the study (response 46.8%). Information was obtained on demographics, health status, prevalence of AM usage, motivation for using AM, type of AM and health problems for which AM was used.
Of those interviewed, 79.0% reported a health problem. The most frequently named problems were chronic pain, circulation problems and colds with fever. Non-users of AM had a lower incidence (76.6%) of illness than users (83.5%) (OR 0.65, 0.47–0.89). Some participants (42.3%) used AM. The AM users group consisted of significantly more females (72.8%) (female vs. male OR 2.32, 1.74–3.08) and were better educated (school education 13 years vs. < 13 years, 36.6% vs. 27.9%, OR 3.25, 1.35–7.81) than non-users. The main reasons for using AM were to treat chronic pain (36.3%), in some cases of uncomplicated colds (16.9%) and for improved general health (14.7%). Three procedures accounted for almost all usage: acupuncture (34.5%), homoeopathy (27.3%) and herbal medicine (9.7%). A large number of participants cited the main reason for using AM as the wish to avoid drugs as much as possible (31.7%). An additional 26.7% reported opting for AM because of the recommendation of their physician. Some participants (23.9%) cited the unsatisfactory results of conventional medicine as the reason for using AM.
AM is used widely for different complaints by the general population. This frequent use of AM has implications for the healthcare system and health policy.
