title: Health locus of control and use of conventional and alternative care: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health locus of control influences health-related behaviour, but its association with healthcare use is unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between individuals' health locus of control and the use of conventional and alternative health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nationally representative random sample of community-dwelling adult households in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health locus of control, symptom-related visits to physicians, and the use of dietary and physical complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was measured. Dietary CAM included supplements, such as herbs and vitamins. Physical CAM included manipulations, such as acupuncture and acupressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 2453 adult participants studied, 2103 (86%; 95% CI [confidence interval] = 84 to 88%) developed at least one symptom during the 31-day study period. Of these symptomatic adults, 639 visited physicians (30%; 95% CI = 28 to 32%), 480 used dietary CAM (23%; 95% CI = 21 to 25%), and 156 (7%; 95% CI = 6 to 9%) used physical CAM. The likelihood of visiting a physician was not related significantly to individuals' health locus of control. Increased use of dietary CAM was weakly associated with control by spiritual powers (P = 0.028), internal control (P = 0.013), and less control by professionals (P = 0.020). Increased use of physical CAM was significantly associated with control by spiritual powers (P = 0.009) indicating a belief that supernatural forces control individuals' health status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The likelihood of visiting a physician is not affected by individuals' health locus of control. Control by spiritual powers is involved with increased CAM use. Internal control is weakly associated with greater use of dietary CAM; professional control is weakly associated with less use of dietary CAM.
authors: Clinical Practice Evaluation and Research Centre, St Luke's Life Science Institute, Tokyo, Japan. tokuyasu@orange.ocn.ne.jp
authors: Yasuharu
authors: Y
authors: Tokuda
authors: Osamu
authors: O
authors: Takahashi
authors: Sachiko
authors: S
authors: Ohde
authors: Hiromitsu
authors: H
authors: Ogata
authors: Haruo
authors: H
authors: Yanai
authors: Takuro
authors: T
authors: Shimbo
authors: Shunichi
authors: S
authors: Fukuhara
authors: Shigeaki
authors: S
authors: Hinohara
authors: Tsuguya
authors: T
authors: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
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