Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103403

Amy L. Versnik Nowak, MA and Steve Dorman, PhD. Division of Health Education, Texas A&M University, TAMU 4243, College Station, TX 77843-4243, 979-862-8574, avers@hlkn.tamu.edu

Research regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among various populations is needed to understand trends of its use. Previous studies have demonstrated education is a significant determinant of CAM use, suggesting college students are likely CAM users. Little research has addressed prevalence and predictors of CAM use among this population. The purpose of this study was to: (1) measure the frequency and type of CAM use among a sample of college undergraduates; and (2) test the significance of attitudes toward CAM, social-cognitive constructs, and demographics as predictors of CAM use among this population. A random sample of 345 undergraduate students within the Texas A&M University System completed a web-based survey. Over 72% reported using at least one CAM therapy during their life. Since beginning college, 69.9% have used prayer for health reasons, 21.4% have dieted, 37.4% have used supplements, and 53.9% have used at least one CAM therapy. Participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward CAM. Preliminary findings suggest people who have positive attitudes toward CAM, higher outcome expectancies regarding health care, and more CAM users in their social network are more likely to be CAM users. Findings suggest gender, undergraduate classification, and ethnicity, are significant predictors of CAM use. This information is important for health professionals who want to understand why college students choose CAM and how to enable students to make better health care decisions.

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