Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use by Cancer Patients in Chandigarh

Abstract

Introduction: The recent increase in the interest of CAM can be at- tributed to technological, economic, cultural and social trends. The present study aimed at exploring the correlates of CAM usage by cancer patients in Chandigarh. Methods: Present hospital based cross sectional study was con- ducted among cancer patients attending Radiotherapy Outpatient Department (OPD) of a Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). A total of 1,117 were included. Statistical methods like normal test of proportions, Chi square (χ2) test, and logistic regres- sion analysis for estimation of risk factors of CAM use were ap- plied using SPSS 16 software package. Results: Among 214 new patients 120(56.1%) were using CAM as compared to 312(34.6%) among 903 patient who revisited the GMCH. Maximum CAM use was reported among aged 36-49 years (40.9%). Non-Hindu responders were found to be at significantly higher risk of CAM use (P< 0.03). Among 432 users, 162 (37.5%) were of the opinion that allopathy was better than CAM. Conclusions: The high utilization of CAM among cancer patients urge need of conducting further in depth epidemiological studies to evaluate the efficacy of various CAM therapies in use for cancer with active participation from CAM providers/healers to attain some logical conclusions.

Keywords

• Alternative Therapy Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
• Conventional Medicine
• Holistic Approach
• India