Investigating complementary and alternative medicine use in a Spanish-speaking Hispanic community in South Carolina.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by Spanish-speaking Hispanics in the Charleston, South Carolina, area.


METHODS
We administered Spanish-language questionnaires regarding use of CAM to Spanish-speaking Hispanics seeking care at either a community-based residency practice or a rural community health center.


RESULTS
Overall, 69% of the 70 respondents indicated that they used some type of CAM. The most common reason for using CAM was being taught to do so by family members (33%); other common reasons included a failure by their medical professionals to diagnose their problem (29%), a lack of conventional medical treatment for their problem (29%), and being unhappy with previous medical advice (21%). The main medical conditions being treated with CAM were infections (65%) and constipation and diarrhea (54%), but pregnancy-related issues were also cited (27%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings improve our understanding of alternative health care practices of Spanish-speaking Hispanics visiting primary care clinics in South Carolina. Addressing patients' reasons for CAM use may help health care professionals develop patient-centered treatment plans.
Trangmar
Philip
P
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Family Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina 29407, USA.
Diaz
Vanessa A
VA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires