Utilization Of Alternative Medicine Research Articles

Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Cancer Prevention and Cure (Part 1)

Many lay people along with some so called “key opinion leaders” have a common slogan “There's no answer for cancer”. Again, mistake delays proper treatment and make situation worse, more often. Compliance is crucial to obtain optimal health outcomes, such as cure or improvement in QoL. Patients may delay treatment or fail to seek care because of high out-of- pocket expenditures. Despite phenomenal development, conventional therapy falls short in cancer management. There are two major hurdles in anticancer drug development: dose-limiting toxic side effects that reduce either drug effectiveness or the QoL of patients and complicated drug development processes that are costly and time consuming. Cancer patients are increasingly seeking out alternative medicine and might be reluctant to disclose its use to their oncology treatment physicians. But there is limited available information on patterns of utilization and efficacy of alternative medicine for patients with cancer. As adjuvant therapy, many traditional medicines shown efficacy against brain, head and neck, skin, breast, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, prostate, colon and blood cancers. The literature reviews non-pharmacological interventions used against cancer, published trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

A cross-sectional evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine among medical students of North India

Background: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing globally and it is much of concern for research nowadays. Although CAM has been practiced in India for thousands of years, there is no literature available on the extent of use, knowledge, attitude, and perception of utilizing CAM services among medical students. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the extent of use, knowledge, attitude, and perception of utilizing CAM services among medical students. Materials and Methods: It was cross-sectional, observational, and questionnaire-based study, conducted on 387 medical students of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-years MBBS at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, India. The data were recorded and analyzed and expressed in number and percentage. Results: Of the studied subjects, 95.3% had awareness about CAM while 77.3% of participant’s belief on CAM. About 64.9% student believed that CAM has fewer side effects, but 81.1% agreed that it is effective therapy somewhere. Only 19.4% of students used CAM therapy for the chronic problem, but the majority have taken it for acute conditions. The safety (78.6%) is the main reason to use, and Ayurveda (50.4%) and Homeopathy (35.7%) were the two most common CAMs used in the past. The positive attitude of students toward the inclusion of CAM and Yoga in the medical curriculum was 67.7% and 81.4%, respectively. Conclusions: This study showed most of the students believed in CAM and used in the past. They agreed with the inclusion of CAM courses in the medical curriculum. Majority of students suggested that more research is required in CAM.

Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine and conventional medicine for headache or migraine during pregnancy: A cross-sectional survey of 1,835 pregnant women

ObjectivesLittle is known about women’s use of health services affected by headache or migraine during pregnancy. This paper directly addresses the research gap reporting on the healthcare utilization among Australian pregnant women experiencing headache or migraine. Design and settingIn this retrospective observational study, data on 1,835 Australian pregnant women were obtained from the nationally-representative Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Information on quality of life and health seeking behaviors regarding conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine providers was identified among these participants. Factors associated with healthcare use were analyzed using regression analyses. ResultsA total of 16% of the pregnant women surveyed experienced headache or migraine, and over 20% sought help from more than two types of healthcare practitioners for their headache or migraine. General practitioners (37.8%) were the most commonly consulted providers of pregnant women for their headache or migraine. Women with headache or migraine during pregnancy had worse health-related quality of life than those without. Education level and private health insurance status of pregnant women are the predictors of the use of healthcare practitioners for their management of headache or migraine (both p < 0.05). ConclusionsHeadache or migraine during pregnancy significantly impacts upon pregnant women’s quality of life. The use of multiple healthcare practitioners, including conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, highlights the need for further research investigating health services utilization of pregnant women with headache or migraine in different severity and frequency to help inform effective and safe treatment.

Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in gynecologic oncology patients

Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in gynecologic oncology patients

Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Multiethnic Population: The Malaysian Cohort Study.

Background.This study aimed to identify the factors of CAM usage for general health and to determine the factors associated with the usage of different types of CAM after the diagnosis of chronic diseases among The Malaysian Cohort participants.Methods.This was a cross-sectional study derived from The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project, a prospective population-based cohort aged between 35 to 65 years old that recruited from April 2006 to September 2012. Association between the CAM usage and contributing factors were determined via logistic regression.Results.The sample were mostly female (58.1%), Malays (43.1%), came from urban (71.9%), aged 44 years and below (26.8%) and had secondary education (45.9%). The prevalence of CAM usage varied across diseases; 62.8% in cancer patients, 53.3% in hypercholesterolemia, 49.4% in hypertensives and 48.6% in diabetics. General CAM usage was greater among female (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.49, 1.59), Chinese (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.19), those with higher education (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 3.00, 3.25), urban residents (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.50, 1.61) and older people (OR ranging from 1.15 to 1.75) while for post-diagnosis of chronic diseases usage, the odds were higher among those with lower education and living in rural areas.Conclusion.Health status, educational level, age, living location and types of chronic diseases were significant factors that influence CAM usage for the intent of either health maintenance or disease treatment. Further exploration on CAM safety and benefit are crucial to minimize the adverse effect and to ensure the efficacy of CAM product.

"Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Utilization Rates in New Mexico: Recommendations for Marketing and Mentorship between Professionals and Students"

Complementary and Alternative Medicine CAM Utilization Rates in New Mexico Recommendations for Marketing and Mentorship between Professionals and Students

Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival

There is limited available information on patterns of utilization and efficacy of alternative medicine (AM) for patients with cancer. We identified 281 patients with nonmetastatic breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer who chose AM, administered as sole anticancer treatment among patients who did not receive conventional cancer treatment (CCT), defined as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and/or hormone therapy. Independent covariates on multivariable logistic regression associated with increased likelihood of AM use included breast or lung cancer, higher socioeconomic status, Intermountain West or Pacific location, stage II or III disease, and low comorbidity score. Following 2:1 matching (CCT = 560 patients and AM = 280 patients) on Cox proportional hazards regression, AM use was independently associated with greater risk of death compared with CCT overall (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.88 to 3.27) and in subgroups with breast (HR = 5.68, 95% CI = 3.22 to 10.04), lung (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.42 to 3.32), and colorectal cancer (HR = 4.57, 95% CI = 1.66 to 12.61). Although rare, AM utilization for curable cancer without any CCT is associated with greater risk of death.

Utilization of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine and mental health among patients with chronic diseases in primary health care settings in Cambodia

BackgroundCoping with chronic illnesses often involves major lifestyle changes that may lead to poor mental health. Furthermore, in order to treat the chronic conditions, many sufferers in Asia turn to traditional, complementary and alternative medicines (TCAM). This study explores prevalence of TCAM use and factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients with chronic diseases in Cambodia.MethodsIn 2015, this cross-sectional study was conducted with outpatients receiving treatment and care for chronic diseases in two urban and two rural primary health centers. Every eligible patient was randomly selected at the health centers using a systematic sampling procedure. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to explore factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms.ResultsThe study participants included 1528 patients, of whom 77.2% were female, with a mean age of 46.5 years (SD = 15.3). After adjustment, patients with depressive symptoms remained significantly more likely to be in the age groups between 41 and 60 years old and to be married, separated/divorced or widowed compared to those without depressive symptoms. Regarding the use of TCAM, patients with depressive symptoms remained significantly more likely to report using an herbalist, practicing visualization and praying for own health, but less likely to report using vitamins or supplements in the past 12 months. For quality of life, patients with depressive symptoms remained significantly less likely to agree that they had enough energy for their everyday life and had enough money to meet their daily needs. Similar risk factors were also found to be significantly associated with anxiety symptoms.ConclusionsCambodian patients with chronic diseases who experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression were more likely to report reduced quality of life, greater chronic disease-related stigma and more TCAM use. Given the potential interaction of TCAM, mental health and other chronic conditions, a history of TCAM use and mental health should be elicited in clinical practices in primary health care settings, particularly in developing countries.

Community pharmacists\u2019 knowledge, practices and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine in Palestine: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization is dramatically increasing among patients. As community pharmacies are a major provider of CAM products, community pharmacists need to have the sufficient knowledge and information to advice their patients, answer their inquiries and to be proactive in the healthcare process to ensure optimal therapy outputs and minimize both drug-drug and drug-herb interactions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of community pharmacists in Palestine about CAM.MethodsThe study was conducted in a cross-sectional design in which a questionnaire was administered on a sample of licensed community pharmacists from Palestine. The questionnaire was of 5 sections: demographic and practice details of the participants, practice, beliefs, and knowledge about CAM. Mann-Whitney-U or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to comparison of different issues as appropriate. P-values of <0.05 were considered significant.ResultsA total of 284 community pharmacists were surveyed, however, 281 were included in the analysis as they met inclusion criteria. Out of the 281, 149 (53.0%) of the participants were males and the rest were females. About 40% of the participants were between 20 to 29 years old. Pharmacists frequently recommended CAM modalities. Exercises (84.0%) and food supplements (82.6%) were the most commonly recommended modalities. In the last year, vitamin B12 was the most frequently prescribed supplement. The median knowledge score was 5 out of 8 and the median beliefs about CAM score was 4.0 out of 7.0.ConclusionsCAM recommendations by pharmacists appear to be commonplace. Although their knowledge scores were fair to average, pharmacists still need more education and training about CAM in order to be more qualified to provide better pharmaceutical care and improve their patient’s outcome.

Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival.

There is limited available information on patterns of utilization and efficacy of alternative medicine (AM) for patients with cancer. We identified 281 patients with nonmetastatic breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer who chose AM, administered as sole anticancer treatment among patients who did not receive conventional cancer treatment (CCT), defined as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and/or hormone therapy. Independent covariates on multivariable logistic regression associated with increased likelihood of AM use included breast or lung cancer, higher socioeconomic status, Intermountain West or Pacific location, stage II or III disease, and low comorbidity score. Following 2:1 matching (CCT = 560 patients and AM = 280 patients) on Cox proportional hazards regression, AM use was independently associated with greater risk of death compared with CCT overall (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.88 to 3.27) and in subgroups with breast (HR = 5.68, 95% CI = 3.22 to 10.04), lung (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.42 to 3.32), and colorectal cancer (HR = 4.57, 95% CI = 1.66 to 12.61). Although rare, AM utilization for curable cancer without any CCT is associated with greater risk of death.

Use of alternative medicine for cancer and its impact on survival.

e18175 Background: There is limited available information on the patterns of utilization and efficacy of alternative medicine (AM) for patients with cancer. The primary objective was to compare survival between patients with cancer receiving AM and conventional cancer treatment. The secondary objective was to determine cancer patient characteristics associated with selection of AM. Methods: Patients diagnosed with non-metastatic breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer were identified between 2004-2013 using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Alternative medicine use was defined as ‘Other-Unproven: Cancer treatments administered by nonmedical personnel’ administered as sole anti-cancer treatment among patients who did not receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and/or hormone therapy. Treatment selection was evaluated by the chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression. Patients were 2:1 matched on age, clinical group stage, Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score, insurance type, race, year of diagnosis, and cancer type. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: We identified 281 patients who chose AM in lieu of conventional cancer treatment. Approximately 44% of these patients had breast cancer, followed by prostate (25.5%), lung (18.4%) and colorectal cancer (12.1% of patients). Independent covariates associated with increased likelihood of AM use included breast or lung primary site (vs. prostate), higher socioeconomic status, Intermountain West or Pacific location (vs. Northeast), stages II or III (vs. I) and Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score of 0 (vs. 1). Alternative medicine was independently associated with greater risk of death compared to conventional cancer treatment overall (HR: 2.50, 95% confidence interval 1.88-3.27) and in subgroups of patients with breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Conclusions: Alternative medicine utilization in patients with cancer is rare and varied by geographic, socioeconomic, and disease-related factors. Patients who chose alternative medicine for primary treatment of their curable cancer had greater risk of death compared to those who chose conventional cancer treatment.

Comparing Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use with or without Including Prayer as a Modality in a Local and Diverse United States Jurisdiction.

Few studies to date have examined the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a local, ethnically diverse population in the United States (U.S.). Fewer have addressed the differences in their use based on inclusion or exclusion of prayer as a modality. Variable definitions of CAM are known to affect public health surveillance (i.e., continuous, systematic data collection, analysis, and interpretation) or benchmarking (i.e., identifying and comparing key indicators of health to inform community planning) related to this non-mainstream collection of health and wellness therapies. The present study sought to better understand how including or excluding prayer could affect reporting of CAM use among residents of a large, urban U.S. jurisdiction. Using population-weighted data from a cross-sectional Internet panel survey collected as part of a larger countywide population health survey, the study compared use of CAM based on whether prayer or no prayer was included in its definition. Patterns of CAM use by socio-demographic characteristics were described for the two operationalized definitions. Multivariable binomial regression analyses were performed to control for gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, employment, income, and health insurance status. One of the analyses explored the associations between CAM use and racial/ethnic characteristics in the study sample. Los Angeles County, California. A socio-demographically diverse sample of Los Angeles County residents. CAM use (with prayer) and CAM use (excluding prayer). Blacks were among the highest users of CAM when compared to Whites, especially when prayer was included as a CAM modality. Regardless of prayer inclusion, being a woman predicted higher use of CAM. How CAM is defined matters in gauging the utilization of this non-mainstream collection of therapies. Given that surveillance and/or benchmarking data are often used to inform resource allocation and planning decisions, results from the present study suggest that when prayer is included as part of the CAM definition, utilization/volume estimates of its use increased correspondingly, especially among non-White residents of the region.

아토피 피부염 환아의 보완대체요법 이용 실태

아토피 피부염 환아의 보완대체요법 이용 실태

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Utilization by Howard University (HU) First Year Pharmacy Students: Survey and Review of Most Commonly Used Herbs

An electronic questionnaire was utilized to conduct a survey on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among first year Howard University pharmacy students. 36 out of 49 completed the questionnaire for a response rate of 73.5%. 21 (58.3%) reported having used herbs or other supplements in the past 5 years with cranberry, garlic, ginger and ginseng topping the list. Prayer (48%) and Yoga (32%) were the most commonly utilized non-herbal CAM modalities. Our finding is consistent with other studies, including one by the same authors, that CAM is a widely practiced modality in diverse segments of the US population.

Pattern of Traditional Medicine Utilization among HIV/AIDS Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at a University Hospital in Northwestern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective of this study was to assess traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) utilization pattern among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Materials and Methods. Data on sociodemographic profile and clinical and TCAM utilization were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire from April 01 to May 28, 2014, through interviews with patients. Data on CD4 count, HIV stage, and ART regimen were collected from patient records. Analysis was conducted descriptively using SPSS version 20. Results. Of the 300 participants, 43.7% reported using TCAM, with the largest proportion of them from religious institutions (churches/mosques) (41.22%), followed by home prepared (32.82%) and traditional healers (16.03%). The leading forms of TCAM used were spiritual and herbal therapies constituting 56.49% and 36.64% of the patients, respectively. The most frequently used herbal products included Nigella sativa (22.92%) and Moringa oleifera (20.83%). Most of the patients (73.30%) using TCAM reported improvement in their conditions. Conclusions. TCAM utilization among HIV/AIDS patients on ART was common and different sources and types were used alongside ART, with improvement reported by most. Further research is needed to identify CAM therapies which may be used as adjunct treatments among these patients.

BEMER Electromagnetic Field Therapy Reduces Cancer Cell Radioresistance by Enhanced ROS Formation and Induced DNA Damage.

Each year more than 450,000 Germans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer subsequently receiving standard multimodal therapies including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. On top, molecular-targeted agents are increasingly administered. Owing to intrinsic and acquired resistance to these therapeutic approaches, both the better molecular understanding of tumor biology and the consideration of alternative and complementary therapeutic support are warranted and open up broader and novel possibilities for therapy personalization. Particularly the latter is underpinned by the increasing utilization of non-invasive complementary and alternative medicine by the population. One investigated approach is the application of low-dose electromagnetic fields (EMF) to modulate cellular processes. A particular system is the BEMER therapy as a Physical Vascular Therapy for which a normalization of the microcirculation has been demonstrated by a low-frequency, pulsed EMF pattern. Open remains whether this EMF pattern impacts on cancer cell survival upon treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and the molecular-targeted agent Cetuximab inhibiting the epidermal growth factor receptor. Using more physiological, three-dimensional, matrix-based cell culture models and cancer cell lines originating from lung, head and neck, colorectal and pancreas, we show significant changes in distinct intermediates of the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways and enhanced cancer cell radiosensitization associated with increased DNA double strand break numbers and higher levels of reactive oxygen species upon BEMER treatment relative to controls. Intriguingly, exposure of cells to the BEMER EMF pattern failed to result in sensitization to chemotherapy and Cetuximab. Further studies are necessary to better understand the mechanisms underlying the cellular alterations induced by the BEMER EMF pattern and to clarify the application areas for human disease.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Newly Developing Country: a Cross- Sectional Study in Qatar

Background: Scarce data exists on the utilization of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Qatar. Primary care clinics offer an ideal opportunity to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practice of CAM among patients with type II diabetes. Methods: A total of 226 subjects with type II diabetes were examined in this cross-sectional descriptive study. SPSS v. 19 was used to analyze the data and predictors of CAM use were identified through the utilization of multiple logistic regressions. Results: 53 % of respondents reported utilizing CAM. Females were 1.2 times more likely to use CAM than males. South East Asians (47.7%) were the most frequent users, followed by Iranians (37.6%) and Arabs (14.6%). Herbal powder (54.4%) was the most widely used, followed by bitter gourd (44%) and fenugreek (40%). Being South East Asian (odds ratio [OR] 5.297, 95 %, CI 2.892-9.377), Muslim (OR 5.259, 95%, CI 2.995-9.198) and attaining a secondary and higher education (OR 5.239, 95%, CI 2.898- 9.595) were the only predictors for CAM use after adjustments for gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation, family household income and hypertension. Conclusions: This study showed a high prevalence of CAM usage among patients with type II diabetes living in Doha, Qatar. This use is associated with patients’ family educational level, source of information, previous experience and their view about concomitant use of CAM and conventional medicine. The most-common complementary alternative medicinal products used were herbal powder, bitter gourd and fenugreek. Due to the high prevalence of usage of CAM future studies on the anti-glycemic properties of the utilized herbs should be carried out.

Association of Complementary and Alternative Therapies With Mental Health Outcomes in Pregnant Women Living in a Postdisaster Recovery Environment.

The objective of this study was to determine if complementary and alternative medicine therapies are associated with mental health in postdisaster environments. Pregnant women (N = 402) were interviewed between 2010 and 2012 as part of a larger cross-sectional study on hurricane recovery and models of prenatal care. Symptoms of depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen), prenatal anxiety (Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire), posttraumatic stress (PCL-S), and perceived stress (PSS) were examined. Logistic regression was used to adjust for income, race, education, parity, and age. The most commonly reported therapies were prayer, music, multivitamins, massage, and aromatherapy. Mental illness symptoms were common (30.7% had likely depression, 17.4% had anxiety, and 9.0% had posttraumatic stress). Massage was protective for depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Index [EDSI] >8; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.3-0.9), while use of aromatherapy (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2) and keeping a journal (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2) were associated with increased odds of depression. Aromatherapy was associated with symptoms of pregnancy-related anxiety (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.8). Symptoms of mental illness persist after disaster, when untreated. Nurses should consider assessing for complementary and alternative medicine utilization in pregnancy as a potentially protective factor for mental health symptoms.

Social Inequality in Utilization of Aftercare Services Among Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients

This study examines social inequalities in the utilization of medical rehabilitation, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and psychosocial support programs among patients with prostate and breast cancer after surgery. A prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted. Subjects were 483 patients after primary manifestation of prostate and breast cancer (UICC-Stadium 0-IV) aged between 18 and 65 years. Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire after surgery and 6 months later. Social inequality was measured by education, income and occupational status. In addition, the insurance status (private vs. statutory) was taken into account. Logistic regression models were used separately for each cancer site. The analyses were controlled for age, tumor stage and mental comorbidity. The associations between social inequality and the utilization of aftercare services vary by inequality indicator and the different health care services. Inequalities in utilization of CAM are most pronounced and consistent. Differences between status groups are small in utilization of rehabilitation. Among breast cancer patients, inequalities are more pronounced than among prostate cancer patients. Social inequalities in utilization of aftercare services among breast and prostate cancer patients are inconsistent. Future investigations should clarify to what extent such inequalities are due to access barriers or due to differences in health literacy or preferences.

The utilization of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine for non-communicable diseases and mental disorders in health care patients in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) use in patients with chronic diseases in lower Mekong countries.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in a health care setting using a random sample of 4799 adult patients (Mean age: 52.3 years, SD = 22.7) with chronic diseases in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The measure included the International Questionnaire to measure usage of complementary and alternative medicine (I-CAM).ResultsThe 1 year prevalence of consulting TCAM providers was 26.0 %; 27.0 % in Cambodia, 26.3 % in Thailand, 23.9 % in Vietnam. The most commonly consulted TCAM providers were the herbalist (17.3 %), massage therapist (6.0 %), and acupuncturist (5.5 %). For all different types of TCAM providers more than 80 % of participants perceived the consultation as very or somewhat helpful. The own use of herbal medicine was 41.0 %, own use of vitamins 26.5 % and the own use of other supplements 9.7 % in the past 12 months. The most common self-help practices in the past 12 months included praying for your own health (30.1 %), meditation (13.9 %) and relaxation techniques (9.9 %). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, older age, rural residence and having two or more chronic conditions was associated with the use a TCAM provider; being female, urban residence, residing in Vietnam and having two or more chronic conditions was associated with the use of TCAM products; and being female, older age, rural residence, higher formal education, and residing in Cambodia was associated with the use of TCAM self-help practices.ConclusionsTCAM use is common among chronic disease patients in lower Mekong countries and is associated with several sociodemographic and disease specific factors.