A Comparative Study of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Heterosexually and Lesbian Identified Women: Data from the ESTHER Project (Pittsburgh, PA, 2003–2006)

Helen A Smith,Ada Youk,Evelyn O Talbott,Nina Markovic,Michelle E Danielson,Alicia Matthews

doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0444

Abstract

The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among women in the United States is high. Little is known about how CAM use may differ based on sexual orientation. Study aims were to measure the prevalence of CAM use in a community sample of women, explore differences in CAM use patterns by sexual orientation, and identify correlates of CAM use. Analyses were based on women (Total N = 879; n = 479 lesbians) enrolled in the Epidemiologic STudy of HEalth Risk in Women (ESTHER) Project, a cross-sectional heart-disease risk-factor study. Data were collected through convenience sampling of adult females in Pittsburgh, PA (2003-2006). Main outcome measures included lifetime and past 12-month CAM use, and types of CAM modalities used in the past 12 months. The prevalence of having ever used CAM was 49.8%, with 42% having reported CAM use within the past 12 months. Lesbians had greater odds of having ever used CAM (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.68 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23, 2.28]) and of having used CAM in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.44 [CI: 1.06, 1.97]) than heterosexuals. In multivariate analyses, correlates of lifetime and past 12-month CAM use included being lesbian, white, higher educated, and a large-city resident; experiencing perceived discrimination in a health care setting; and having a greater spirituality rating and a history of a diagnosed mental health disorder. Past 12-month CAM use was also associated with having a provider of usual health care. Among women who used CAM within the past 12 months, heterosexuals had significantly higher yoga participation rates than lesbians. Sexual orientation is important in understanding lifetime and past 12-month CAM use. Because of the high prevalence of CAM use found in this study, medical practitioners should inquire about the CAM practices of female patients, particularly lesbians.

Highlights

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a variety of health practices considered to be outside the traditional domain of conventional Western medicine.[1]
Secondary data analysis was performed among Epidemiologic STudy of HEalth Risk in Women (ESTHER) Project participants to determine the prevalence of CAM use, assess differences of CAM use by sexual orientation, and identify factors associated with CAM use
The presented findings provide insight into the relationship between sexual orientation and CAM use in a healthy population of women, providing updated prevalence rates of CAM use among lesbians, and using a broader definition of CAM use reporting for heterosexual and lesbian women

Summary

Introduction

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a variety of health practices considered to be outside the traditional domain of conventional Western medicine.[1]. Body-based practices, movement therapies, and whole medical systems.[1] A myriad of factors have been shown to influence CAM usage, including demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Researchers find that CAM use may increase with age and that women tend to use CAM more frequently than men.[12] Current statistics suggest that women between ages 30 and 69 are the primary consumers of CAM.[2,5,12,13,14] Results from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) indicate that, among adults, native Americans or indigenous Alaskan people (50.3%) and whites (43.1%) reported higher rates of CAM use than Asians (39.9%) or African-Americans (25.5%).[12] Among U.S women who use CAM, reasons for using CAM may differ by race/ethnicity. A study by Chao et al showed that, when asked what influenced their decision to use CAM, non-Hispanic white women noted personal beliefs, Mexican-American women cited the high cost of conventional medicine, and African-American women reported having read or heard something about CAM on the radio or television.[15]

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