HEALTH SERVICE RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 5:30-6:15 PM
Kreitzer MJ, Zhang L*, Ding M, Hargreaves M.
CAM use in ethnic and minority populations: results of
a population-based survey in Hennepin County Minnesota.
University of Minnesota kreit003@umn.edu
*Presenting author
While the overall use of CAM in the US adult population
has been well documented over the past 10 years, CAM utilization in
ethnic and minority populations is less understood. Given the growing
diversity of the US population, the lack of information regarding CAM
utilization and outcomes in minority populations poses significant challenges
from a public health policy and clinical practice perspective. The purpose
of this study was to examine patterns of utilization and factors contributing
to CAM use among six racial and ethnic groups: American Indians, Asians
and Pacific-Islanders (focusing on Southeast Asians), Black/African
Americans (including US born and African born groups), Hispanics/Latinos
and Whites. Survey data were obtained primarily through telephone interviews,
supplemented by in-person interviews, by the Survey Research Center
in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Of the
9,959 survey respondents, 2794 were people of color. Survey respondents
were selected at random through a two-stage process. To attain a large
enough sample from communities of color, there was over-sampling of
geographic areas in which a relatively large population of color resided.
The survey was translated and interviews were conducted in Spanish,
Somali, Hmong and Vietnamese as well as English. Of the total surveys,
1,007 were conducted in a language other than English. The survey instrument
included standard measures drawn from existing instruments such as the
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the National Health Interview
Survey. Additional questions were included that focused on use of CAM,
level of acculturation, length of time in the US, social connectedness,
factors related to economic distress and discrimination experiences
in various settings. Descriptive and multivariate analytic techniques
were used to analyze the data. Distinct differences were found in utilization
of specific CAM therapies among the various racial and ethnic groups.
For example, meditation use was highest in the White, US born black,
American Indian populations; acupuncture use was highest in the Southeast
Asian population and use of traditional healers or a shaman were highest
in American Indian and Southeast Asian groups. Significant differences
in rates and patterns of use were found between African-born and US
born blacks. Differences were also noted related to gender, age, level
of education and income. In general, it was found that CAM use was not
being used as a substitute for physician use.
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