Journal article
Patterns of natural herb use by Asian and Pacific Islanders
Ethnicity & health, Vol.13(2), pp.93-108
04/2008
DOI: 10.1080/13557850701830349
PMID: 18425709
Abstract
Previous studies have noted the role of race/ethnicity in use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in particular have been found to use herbs more frequently, although the patterns of use among this population have not been described. The goal of this study was to characterize the rates and patterns of herb use among the API population of the United States.
Data from the 2002 US National Health Interview Survey, including the supplement on CAM, were analyzed using SAS. Cross-tabulation and logistical regression were used to determine the association between herb use and race/ethnicity, while adjusting for demographic factors.
After adjusting for age, gender and educational attainment, we found that APIs were more likely to use herbs than non-Hispanic Whites (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5; p=0.013), with the difference being most prominent in those 60 years old or older (OR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.8, 4.5; p<0.0001). Herb use among APIs was more common among women, those with higher education and income, and those in older age groups. Patterns of use also varied among API subgroups, with Chinese Americans reporting the highest rates of herb use in their lifetimes (44%) and in the previous 12 months (33%).
Considerable diversity exists within API subgroups with regard to the prevalence and demographic and health correlates of natural herb use. Herb use is more common among APIs than non-Hispanic Whites, particularly among the elderly. The disaggregation of APIs by racial/ethnic subgroups may be important for patient-health care professional interactions, and when designing studies of racial/ethnic minority populations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Patterns of natural herb use by Asian and Pacific Islanders
- Creators
- Miho J Tanaka - College of Medicine, University of Iowa, USABrian M GryzlakM Bridget ZimmermanNicole L NislyRobert B Wallace
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Ethnicity & health, Vol.13(2), pp.93-108
- DOI
- 10.1080/13557850701830349
- PMID
- 18425709
- NLM abbreviation
- Ethn Health
- ISSN
- 1355-7858
- eISSN
- 1465-3419
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- 9P50 AT004155-06 / NCCIH NIH HHS P01 ES012020 / NIEHS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2008
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983997361602771
Metrics
28 Record Views