Religiosity and Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Foreign-Born Hispanics in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the association between religiosity and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of foreign-born Hispanic adults, even when excluding prayer as a form of CAM. Data were collected using a self-report Spanish-language survey. Study participants consisted of 306 respondents between the ages of 18 and 79. Most were born in Mexico (56.3%), followed by South America (24.6%), and then Central America (7.4%). Dependent variable measures included mainstream and traditional CAM utilization. Religiosity was measured using eight items representing ritual, consequential, ideological, and experimental domains. After controlling for the potentially confounding influences of age, gender, and income, respondents who reported higher levels of religiosity also reported greater utilization of mainstream and traditional CAM. Previous studies have included prayer as a form of CAM therapy, making it difficult to test the CAM—religiosity association. In this study, even when prayer was not included as a CAM therapy, religiosity was associated with CAM.