Use of Folk Remedies among Families of Children Hospitalised in Taiwan

Abstract

To describe the attitudes toward and the use of folk remedies among caregivers of children who were hospitalised in Taiwan. Parents incorporate folk remedies into the care of sick children in many cultures, including Taiwan. Twelve common folk remedies are commonly used in the Taiwanese culture for the care of sick children. The study employed a descriptive, exploratory design using survey methods. Participants were 92 caregivers (parents) whose children were hospitalised for at least three days in a hospital in the middle district of Taiwan. Sixty per cent of the participants used some form of folk remedies in the care of their hospitalised children. The most frequently used remedies were: spirit-calling (63%); carrying a cross or incense bag (47%), praying a Buddhist mantra (36%). There was a positive relationship between a positive attitude towards folk remedies and current use with children (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that parents' previous experience of using folk remedies (odds ratio = 0.272, p = 0.037), and parents' knowledge of the care of disease (odds ratio = 18.044, p = 0.015) were the strongest predictors of use of folk remedies. Almost three-fourths (73%) of all participants expected that health care providers would respect and not interfere with their use of folk remedies; 72% of parents stated that they would not tell healthcare providers about the use of folk remedies. The majority of the parents of hospitalised children in Taiwan can be expected to use folk remedies for the purpose of psychological and spiritual support during child hospitalised. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the folk remedies used within various cultural groups so that culturally appropriate and safe care can be provided for the child and family.