title: Use of Alternative Medications for Menopause-Related Symptoms in Three Major Ethnic Groups of Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
abstract: This cross-sectional study investigated the use of alternative medications to alleviate menopause-related symptoms among Malay, Chinese, and Indian women of Ipoh city. The prevalence, types, effectiveness, and associated factors were determined. The prevalence of alternative medication use was 41.4%. Evening primrose oil (EPO) was the most popular medication used (18.1%), followed by soy-based products (12.3%), green tea (6.8%), and gingko (5.8%). The medication was reported to be highly effective by 58.3% of soya bean diet users and 41.1% of EPO users. Significant variables associated with the use were Chinese or Indian ethnicity (P < .001), age between 50 and 54 years (P < .01), lower self-health rating (P < .05), education level of diploma or professional degree (P < .05), employment as professionals or entrepreneurs (P < .05), and the use of hormone replacement therapy (P < .05). Regression analysis showed that Chinese and Indians had significantly higher odds for the use than Malays (Chinese: odds ratio [OR] = 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.392-7.837; Indians: OR = 3.248, 95% CI = 1.586-6.654).
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia s_ohnmar@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Saw
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohn Mar
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Fatehpal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Syed Hamid
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Syed Rahim
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chin Tong
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sarjeet Singh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sugathan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sandheep
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008296:Malaysia; D008593:Menopause / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013025:Glycine max; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
keywords: CAM; alternative medications; associated factors; effectiveness; ethnicity; menopausal symptoms