Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use during Menopause in Sydney and Bologna.
Background. Previous surveys found CAM use during menopause to be popular. This paper compares the results from two surveys (Sydney and Bologna) to examine factors that determine the extent and pattern of CAM use to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Methods. Women, aged 45-65 years, who were symptomatic when transitioning through menopause or asymptomatic but taking menopause-specific treatments, were recruited in Sydney (n=1,296) and Bologna (n=1,106) to complete the same voluntary, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaire. The results were reanalysed using stratified analyses to determine similarities and differences. Results. Demographics of the two cohorts differed significantly. CAM was more popular in Sydney. The most significant determinants of CAM use were the use of CAM for other conditions besides menopause and the severity of vasomotor symptoms. Occupational status was a determinant of CAM use amongst Bologna respondents only. In order to relieve symptoms, Australian and Italian women used different CAM modalities whose effectiveness was generally perceived as good. Conclusion. CAM use is popular amongst menopausal women from Sydney and Bologna. Differences in the patterns of CAM use seem to depend on CAM availability and on the educational level and professional status of users. The complex interaction between market, social, and cultural factors of CAM use seems to be more influential on women's choice of CAM than the available evidence of their effectiveness.
The National Institute for Complementary Medicine, University of Western Sydney Campbelltown Campus, Goldsmith Ave, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.
Corinne
C
van der Sluijs
National Center for Epidemiology, Health Surveillance and Promotion (CNESPS), National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Flavia L
FL
Lombardo
Primary Care Department, Bologna Local Health Unit, Via S. Isaia 94/2, 40100 Bologna, Italy.
Grazia
G
Lesi
The National Institute for Complementary Medicine, University of Western Sydney Campbelltown Campus, Goldsmith Ave, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.
Alan
A
Bensoussan
Healthcare and Social Agency of Emilia Romagna Region, Viale Aldo Moro 21, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Francesco
F
Cardini