Determination of the use of complementary and alternative medicine by women in the climacteric period in the Turkish city of Samsun

The use of complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

BACKGROUND

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing worldwide. To the best of knowledge, there is a lack of studies that assess CAM use by Palestinian women during pregnancy. This research aims to determine the prevalence of Palestinian women's use of CAM during pregnancy, the most frequently used CAM products during the pregnancy period, the main sources that encourage the use of CAM among pregnant women, and the causes of CAM use.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Palestine using a questionnaire from April 2018 to March 2019. The samples were selected by convenience sampling, including currently pregnant or previously pregnant women in the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) clinic at Rafedia Hospital and in primary health care clinics in Nablus city-Palestine. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic variables, health status, types and frequency of CAM used, patients' sources of information, causes of their usage, attitudes, and beliefs.

RESULTS

Four hundred currently or previously pregnant women participated. Three hundred fifty-five (91.5%) used at least one method of CAM during pregnancy. Most women used at least one method of biologically-based therapies during pregnancy (87.7%). One hundred and one pregnant women (26.7%) utilised at least one type of herb during pregnancy. The most-reported herb used by 12.3% of participants was anise. Of the mind-body therapies, prayer was the most commonly used method during pregnancy (8.3%). Two hundred and sixty-one (65.3%) participants used CAM because they believed CAM was not harmful to them or their babies during pregnancy. Participants gained most of their information about CAM from their families (43.8%) and friends (24.3%). Approximately two-thirds of participants (64.0%) thought that obstetricians should be able to advise on commonly used CAM.

CONCLUSIONS

During pregnancy, CAM products are commonly used, and it is important to determine what types are being used by women in Palestine. These findings supplement the body of knowledge on the use of CAM by pregnant women. Pregnancy care providers need to be aware to the familiar types of CAM that women use.

The determination of Complementary and Alternative Medicine use in patients presenting at the emergency room

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine CAM use in patients presenting at the emergency room.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 385 patients presenting at the emergency room. Data was collected with a questionnaire between the dates 02.01.2016-31.03.2016.

RESULTS

The reasons for the presentation at the emergency room were found to be stomach ache (17.2%), vomiting nausea (14.8%), headache (11.2%), shortness of breath (10.9%), and urinary problems (9.6%). 94% of the patients presenting at the emergency room were found to use CAM methods with the methods used being prayer (82.3%), herbal medicine/tea (48.6%), and diets supplementary (9.4%). 80.9% of the patients were found not to share their CAM usage with health professionals.

CONCLUSION

In order to ensure patient safety and prevent patients from coming to harm, it is thought that encouraging patients to share their CAM use with health care professionals is very important.

A survey of the availability in Canadian pharmacy chains of over-the-counter natural health products for menopause symptoms

BACKGROUND

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's aging process, characterized by the cessation of menstruation. Women who are going through the menopause transition can experience physiological symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life. Concern about adverse effects of traditional hormone therapy often leads women to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) natural health products (NHPs). The goal of this study was toinvestigate the range of OTC NHPs for menopause available to Canadian women, and the packaging information they can access to make self-management decisions.

METHODS

Edmonton stores belonging to each of nine Canadian pharmacy chains were visited to identify NHPs marketed for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Details were extracted from the packaging: a) product name and manufacturer, b) Health Canada license number, c) medically active ingredients, d) claims of efficacy, e) contra-indications and warnings, and f) daily cost. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS

We identified 20 OTC NHP menopausal products, 19 of which had Health Canada license numbers. Twenty-eight medically active ingredients were identified, with the most common being black cohosh (in 14 products) and soy isoflavones (n = 7), chaste tree (n = 5), and dong quai (n = 3). Most products claimed they would relieve vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes (n = 14) and night sweats (n = 10). Each product had a labeled contraindication for at least one specific condition. Costs per recommended daily dose ranged from $0.07 to a maximum of $2.50 (CAD$).

CONCLUSION

Natural health products for menopausal symptoms are easily available to Canadian women. The lack of clear evidence of product efficacy makes the need for easily accessible, balanced information on this topic important for women to make well informed choices.