title: Prevalence and Predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Ivy League College Students: Implications for Student Health Services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used and test the significance of demographics and social cognitive constructs as predictors of CAM use in a college sample. Secondary purpose was to guide the integration of CAM therapies into college health services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Random, stratified sample of 2,553 undergraduates and graduate students enrolled at Columbia University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Web-based survey e-mailed to a random sample of 6,482 students. Regression analyses used to determine predictors of CAM use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 82% of respondents reported using at least 1 form of CAM in the last 12 months, the most common being nonvitamin, nonmineral (NVNM) products, yoga, deep breathing exercises, massage therapy, and meditation. Sex, student home origin, outcome expectancies, observational learning, and attitude toward CAM were found as significant predictors of CAM use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ongoing assessment of CAM use can assist administrators and providers to enhance college health services and programs.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Versnik Nowak
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeGise
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daugherty
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seward
authors.forename: Suma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Setty
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012931:Social Environment; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities
keywords: alternative medicine; college; complementary medicine; social cognitive theory; university