The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children Followed by Asthma Diagnosis and Attitudes of Families

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a disease that affects the quality of life and is characterized by chronic airway inflammation associated with airway hypersensitivity. Although there are worldwide accepted treatment guidelines in the treatment of asthma, most patients use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) methods for many reasons, such as both insufficiencies in treatment and fears of side effects and long-term medication. This study aimed to determine the use of complementary & alternative medicine and the attitudes of families in children followed with the diagnosis of asthma. METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out in children diagnosed with asthma between the ages of 3-17. A questionnaire was applied to the patients' relatives to determine CAM methods. The Holistic CAM Questionnaire was applied to determine the attitudes of their families. RESULTS: It was determined by families that they prefer using CAM to 'Do everything possible to fight the disease' (46.46%) and use this information with the recommendation 'Family members/friends/neighbors/relatives' (56.30%). It was found that they used CAM methods 66.53% between 1-6 months, and they thought that the use of the CAM method achieved 53,94% success in treatment. It was determined that families with dissatisfaction and hopelessness from medical treatment had a positive attitude of 25 (20-39) with complementary and alternative medicine and were statistically significant(p=0.035). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was found that the use of CAM is high in families with asthma in their children and that they have a positive attitude towards CAM use. The increasing use of CAM shows the need for healthcare professionals to be informed about this issue.

Keywords

• asthma
• child
• alternative medicine.