Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of medical products and practices that are not part of conventional medicine.METHOD: The aims of this study were to identify the strategies of managing minor illnesses, perceptions and significant predictors of using CAM among Jordanian parents. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. The study was conducted in ten Ministry of Health comprehensive health centers in Jordan. A convenience sample of 328 participants was recruited and asked to complete a self-report structured questionnaire.RESULTS: Over 80% of study participants used CAM to treat minor illness for their children. Digestive system problems, upper respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection were the most common managed illnesses. Herbs, prayer, and aromatherapy were the most common types of CAM therapy. The most common reasons for using CAM were making the child comfortable, supporting medical treatment, and promoting health and preventing disease. The major sources of advice were self, mother or mother in law, and friend. 72% of CAM users reported that they always consulted their health care providers about CAM use. More than 60% of the study sample perceived CAM as complementary, safe, and efficient. Finally, CAM belief, father’s education, and living with extended family significantly predicted CAM use.CONCLUSION: Health care providers in general should be able to assess CAM use, provide accurate health education and encourage parents to consult their health care providers about CAM use.
Highlights
In order to provide optimal care to pediatric patients it is crucial that health care providers understand the use of complementary medicine
This requires that health care providers recognize the cultural context of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use from the parental perspective in order to adequately communicate with parents when providing care to children (Hannan, 2015)
The overarching purpose of this study was to understand parental practices in Irbid, Jordan related to the use of CAM when caring for children complaining of minor illnesses
Summary
In order to provide optimal care to pediatric patients it is crucial that health care providers understand the use of complementary medicine. Body-mind therapies include a large and diverse group of procedures or techniques administered or taught by a trained practitioner such as yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture and relaxation techniques (NCCIH, 2016).The increased use of complementary medicines extends to the care of children. This requires that health care providers recognize the cultural context of CAM use from the parental perspective in order to adequately communicate with parents when providing care to children (Hannan, 2015). The authors concluded that health professionals should routinely ask parents about CAM use and discuss the reasons and expected outcomes of use (Ozturk & Karayagiz, 2008)
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