240867 Mexican Mothers' Narratives of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Asthma Management Strategies for their Children

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kimberly Sidora-Arcoleo, MPH, PhD , College of Nursing & Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Luis E. Zayas, PhD , School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
April Hawthorne, MEd , College of Nursing & Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Rachelle Begay, BIS , College of Nursing & Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Rosalia Ibarrola, MS , College of Nursing & Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in the U.S. has shown significant increase in recent years, particularly among individuals with chronic illnesses. Little research has been conducted on CAM use among children and adolescents with asthma. Many parents report using CAM as the first treatment for an asthma exacerbation. Studies show that the majority of parents do not disclose CAM use to their child's healthcare provider (HCP). HCPs need to know what CAM therapies are being used in asthma management so they can elicit information on CAM use during contacts with parents. They can then educate parents about the safety, advantages/disadvantages of individual CAM therapies, provide care which is sensitive to parents' ethnomedical beliefs, and improve adherence to the prescribed medication regimen.

Purpose: Obtain perspective of Mexican mothers regarding their experience of living with a child with asthma, understanding of the nature of the disease, beliefs and attitudes about asthma symptoms and treatment, and use of CAM and controller medications.

Methods: Purposeful sample of 20 Mexican mothers of children with asthma completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Recruited from two school-based health clinics in Phoenix, AZ. Interview guide assessed: asthma IRs, knowledge, and impact; CAM, HCP relationship, and healthcare utilization.

Results: CAM methods used by mothers in asthma management were special teas (i.e., chamomile, gordolobo, fig, eucalyptus, bougainvillea), snake oil, lard, syrups (e.g., Propleo, Broncolin), ointments (e.g., Vick's VapoRub) and Chihuahuas (as pets). Many mothers reported using the teas first and then, if child was still sick, going to the HCP.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to describe the various types of CAM Mexican mothers use in managing their children's asthma. Attendees will also be able to discuss when mothers use CAM (as a first-line treatment, concurrent with controller medications, or as the sole treatment) in treating their children's asthma.

Keywords: Asthma, Alternative Medicine/Therapies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI on this study and am responsible for the conceptualization, design, and conduct of the study, and the qualitative data analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.