The Attitude, Use and Adverse Effects of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Therapies among Vulnerable, Community Dwelling Old Adults.
10.12799/jkachn.2014.25.1.1
- Author:
Young Im PARK
1
;
Mi Sook SONG
;
Okhee AHN
;
Soon Ok YANG
;
Insook LEE
;
Hye Sun HYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Aged;
Complementary therapies;
Adverse effects
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Aged;
Complementary Therapies*;
Data Collection;
Friends;
Humans;
Nursing;
Prevalence;
Public Health;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing
2014;25(1):1-11
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to obtain information of use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and any reported adverse effects of them on vulnerable elders in a community. METHODS: 1,837 elderly subjects aged 65 or higher with health problems were selected from those who were enrolled in a public health care center and received visiting health management services. A proportional stratified sampling method was used. Data collection was completed by face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The descriptive statistics and chi2-test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM use last year was 57.5%, and 10.4% of the subjects reported adverse effects of the therapies. The mean score of the subjects' attitudes towards CAM was 4.1+/-3.44 (range 1~10). The major sources of advice and exposure to CAM therapies were most likely to be from family and friends (72.5%). The primary reason for choosing CAM was to manage symptoms and relieve pain (86.6%). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the need to develop nursing strategies for reducing and preventing adverse effects of CAM use by promoting awareness of using safe and appropriate CAM therapies.
