title: Use of complementary and alternative medicine among midlife Arab women living in Qatar.
abstract: The prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread and is growing worldwide. This cross-sectional study in Qatar examined the use of CAM and its correlates among Arab women in their midlife years. Women aged 40-60 years (n = 814) were recruited at primary care centres in Qatar and completed a specially designed, pre-tested questionnaire. Overall, 38.2% of midlife women in Qatar had used CAM in the previous 12 months. Nutritional remedies and herbal remedies were the most commonly used CAM therapies, followed by physical methods. Qatari nationality and higher level of education were independently associated with CAM use. Menopause transition status was not independently associated with use of CAM. The prevalence of CAM use by women in Qatar was high, consistent with other reports worldwide. It is essential to educate and inform patients and health-care providers about the benefits and limitations associated with CAM.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mamtani
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bener
authors.affiliation: The University of the West Indies, St. Michael, Barbados.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verjee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011780:Qatar; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires