Recorded presentation

John F. Yannessa, MS¹, Alice Lindeman, PhD, RD¹, and E. Lisako Jones-McKyer, PhD, MPH². (1) Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER Building 116, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109, (812) 855-6797, jyanness@indiana.edu, (2) Indiana Prevention Resource Center, Indiana University, 2735 East 10th Street Room 110, Bloomington, IN 47408

Introduction African-American individuals have historically had a distrust of the medical system. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practices may be more common among African Americans than is currently known due to a lack of disclosure to healthcare professionals. Previous research has documented the prevalence of CAM use. However, less research has explored the dynamics of CAM use in a sample comprised entirely of African-Americans. The purpose of this research was to better understand the awareness of CAM, and the experience of CAM use in a sample of African American individuals. Methods To better understand the use of and disclosure of CAM use to healthcare providers, a sample of African Americans (N = 180; Age range 18-76 years, SD =12.5 yrs) completed a questionnaire regarding their general experiences with CAM, including awareness of, experience with, and disclosure of CAM use to healthcare practitioners. Results Awareness: The modalities of which the sample was most aware were massage (72.2%), relaxation techniques (55.7%), acupuncture (51.1%), and chiropractics (49.5%). Experience: Massage (44.4%) was used most frequently, then chiropractics (25.6%) and relaxation techniques (20.6%). However, disclosure of CAM use to medical professionals was not common (27.4%). Conclusions: These data suggest that CAM use is widespread among African-Americans. However, a large percentage of those using CAM do not notify a healthcare practitioner. Without adequate disclosure, medical professionals cannot provide adequate care. Strategies will be discussed that will aid the ability of medical professionals elucidate CAM use, and thus provide more optimal medical care.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to recognize the complexities and commonalities of CAM use within African-American Communities.
• Participants will be able to describe the associations between CAM use and disclosure to a medical professional within the context of African American communities.
• Participants will be able to describe the characteristics of African American communities that facilitate their ability to overcome the challenges or non-disclosure of CAM use.

Keywords: Behavioral Research, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation