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

Abstract #107933

Kimberly J. Sidora-Arcoleo, MPH, Lorrie Yoos, PhD, RN, Ann McMullen, MS, Harriet J. Kitzman, RN, PhD, and Elizabeth Anson, BA. School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, 255 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14620, 585-275-7420, kimberly_sidora@urmc.rochester.edu

Objective: Identify predictors of CAM use in children with asthma. Determine whether CAM use predicts asthma medication regimen.

Methods: Interview of 228 mothers of children (ages 5-12) with significant asthma (2+ healthcare visits past year) in an ethnically and sociodemographically diverse sample. CAM and anti-inflammatory medication use classified using NHIS and NHLBI criteria, respectively. Medication regimen classified as mild asthma; optimal; suboptimal; and inadequate. Sociodemographic variables included ethnicity, poverty, child's age, asthma severity, and maternal education.

Results: 71% of mothers reported use of CAM for their children. OTC treatments, breathing exercises, relaxation/massage and herbal products were the most frequently reported CAM therapies. 47% of children were on a suboptimal (persistent symptoms despite medication report) and 29% on an inadequate (persistent symptoms and no medication use reported) regimen. CAM use was greater among poor and minority families and children with persistent symptoms. Mothers with < high school education were more likely to use CAM for their children than those with higher education. CAM use, minority status, maternal education, and poverty were individual predictors of suboptimal and inadequate regimens. Child's age was not related to CAM use or regimen.

Conclusions: Mothers resort to CAM to manage their child's asthma symptoms, particularly among children with persistent asthma symptoms. CAM use may prevent children from receiving appropriate maintenance therapy. For effective shared decision-making of the child's asthma management to occur, it is essential to assess CAM use to ensure safety when these treatments are used with biomedical therapy and to provide culturally competent care.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the predictors of CAM use in children with asthma
• Analyze the relationship between these identified predictors and the use of CAM to the anti-inflammatory medication regimen.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Asthma

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation