title: Complementary and alternative medicine use by Canadian university students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies investigating Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) prevalence are outdated and are generalized across different demographic groups due to their national scope. Determining trends among specific populations is necessary to gain insight into the growing popularity of CAM.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and factors associated with CAM use among Canadian university undergraduate students and to determine student views regarding CAM research, education and policy-making decisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two arbitrarily selected undergraduate student classes at Queen's University were surveyed for this cross-sectional descriptive study. Information was provided by 128 respondents via questionnaire (75% response rate) on key demographics, CAM use and satisfaction with mainstream Canadian healthcare. Upon completion of the survey, voluntary participation was requested for the interview portion resulting in 7 semi-structured qualitative interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 128 participants, 90 (70%) claimed to be users of at least one CAM modality. Female gender was strongly associated with CAM use (p<0.001). Other characteristics that may be correlated include being enrolled in a health-related academic program, being dissatisfied with certain aspects of the healthcare system and having parents who use CAM. The majority of respondents desired more research and education on CAM and more collaboration between the two healthcare streams.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Canadian university undergraduate students are active CAM users and interest in CAM is high among this population. Further investigation is required to ensure that students are using CAM safely and appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Teper
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities