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Complementary or alternative? Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Finnish children

  • Pharmacoepidemiology and Prescription
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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to measure patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Finnish children and to explore whether CAM use among children is mainly complementary or alternative.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional population-based survey in spring 2007. The study population consisted of a representative sample (n = 6,000) of Finnish children under 12 years of age. A questionnaire was sent to their parents, and 4,032 questionnaires were returned (response rate 67 %). Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were conducted to measure factors associated with CAM use.

Results

The prevalence of CAM use among children was 11 %. Fish oils and fatty acids (6 %) followed by probiotics (4 %) were the most commonly reported CAMs used. Being the first born, using vitamins and having at least one symptom predicted the use of CAMs. Parental use of vitamins and CAMs were also associated with CAM use among children. In the preceding 2 days, 3 % of children in the study had used only CAMs, and 7 % had used a CAM concomitantly with prescribed and/or over-the-counter medicines.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the use of CAMs among Finnish children is mainly for improving health and alleviating symptoms, especially in families where at least one parent also uses these modalities. CAMs were mainly used as complementary rather than as an alternative to conventional care. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this complementary use of CAMs and medicines in patients to avoid risks of potential interactions.

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Acknowledgements

This study received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or non-profit sectors. The study was conducted by the School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. All costs were covered by the School of Pharmacy.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy/Social Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Sanna M. Siponen & Riitta S. Ahonen

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Åsa Kettis

  3. Finnish Medicines Agency, Mannerheimintie 103b, Helsinki, 00301, Finland

    Katri P. Hämeen-Anttila

Authors
  1. Sanna M. Siponen
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  2. Riitta S. Ahonen
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  3. Åsa Kettis
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  4. Katri P. Hämeen-Anttila
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Correspondence to Sanna M. Siponen.

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Siponen, S.M., Ahonen, R.S., Kettis, Å. et al. Complementary or alternative? Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Finnish children. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 68, 1639–1645 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-012-1294-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-012-1294-6

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