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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Haleh Sangi-Haghpeykar, PhD¹, Mirna Bowden, MD¹, and Michael Gardner, MD². (1) Ob/Gyn, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, 713-798-8057, halehs@bcm.tmc.edu, (2) Ob/Gyn, Grady Health System, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Background and Objective: Despite lack of scientific evidence concerning the maternal/fetal effect and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), there has been an increase in the use of herbal remedies during pregnancies. However, all published research on CAM use during pregnancy has been done exclusively on non-Hispanics. Hispanics are the fasting growing segment of the U.S. population, primarily due to high fertility. Hence, a better understanding of their reproductive related behaviors is needed. Methods: A total of 151 Hispanic women were surveyed after delivery in a publicly funded hospital. Results: The sample was primarily young (mean age 25 years), multi-parous (65%), married (67%), and of low income and acculturation level. Overall, prevalence of CAM use was 29%. The most commonly used method was herbal and nutritional supplements (60%), followed by special diets (38%). The most frequent source of information about CAM was health care providers (36%), and friends/family members (23%). The majority of users (61%) had told their physicians; most providers (83%) reacted positively. In multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of CAM use were past use of such agents, history of heart and back problems and having complications/problems during pregnancy. Country of origin and adequacy of prenatal care were unrelated to use. Conclusion: Use of CAM during pregnancy is common among Hispanic women, in particular among those with troubled pregnancies, and most physicians appear to be in favor of using these agents. More intensive patient and physician educational efforts are needed concerning potential harm of CAM use during pregnancy.

Learning Objectives:

• To provide an undrestanding of the prevalence and predictors of alternative medicine use among low income pregnant Hispanic women

Keywords: Pregnancy, Hispanic

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered