Complementary and alternative medicine used by pediatric patients with cancer in western Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, the types of therapies employed, and the reasons for choosing those therapies.


METHODS
Descriptive type, cross-sectional.


METHODS
Pediatric oncology department in western Turkey.


METHODS
112 children receiving or completing treatment for cancer.


METHODS
Parents of 112 children completed a questionnaire regarding CAM use. Analyses included examining correlations between CAM use and demographic variables.


METHODS
CAM use and demographic variables.


RESULTS
77% of the patients used one or more type of CAM, with herb use being the most common.


CONCLUSIONS
About 75% of parents used CAM for their children. However, about 25% sought discussion with the physician about the CAM they were using.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should approach their patients without prejudice, gather information about the various CAM techniques, and share this knowledge with their patients.
Genc
Rabia E
RE
Izmir Ataturk School of Health, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. rabia.genc@ege.edu.tr
Senol
Selmin
S
Turgay
Ayse S
AS
Kantar
Mehmet
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000451:nursing*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014505:Urban Population