Assessing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among Latino men and women

Background: Central and South Americans (CSA's) represent a diverse and heterogeneous cohort of peoples from multiple national origins, different races, and socioeconomic positions yet limited data is available on the prevalence of use of Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) among this Latino subgroup. The few studies conducted on Latino populations focus on Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the Border States. Methods: This quantitative/qualitative cross-sectional study used survey data collected on 132 CSA residents in Montgomery County, Maryland. Qualitative content analyses were conducted on respondent's use of medications and remedies for specific acute health conditions, (headache, fever and stomachache). Responses were collapsed into four broad categories: over-the counter medications (OTC), home remedies, seek health care, and other. Descriptive analyses further inform patterns of CAM. Results: This poster presentation will highlight the 7 most frequently used CAM practices in ranked order by men and women, though overall differences by gender were not supported by the data of use of CAM. Results from open-ended responses are reported. Findings of the study show Latinos cited using CAM because conventional medical treatments were too expensive and similar to prior studies, report younger Latinos indicating the most mistrust toward CAM use. Conclusions: Given recent data from NHIS that highlights Latinos having the highest provider non-disclosure rates, understanding the barriers that Central and South Americans face regarding non-disclosure of CAM use to their healthcare providers could be used to design interventions between provider and patient.