Pattern and determinants of Traditional Chinese Medicine use for upper respiratory tract infection among adults attending primary care clinics

Abstract

Objective: (1) To explore the pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI); and, (2) to identify the determinants associated with such health-seeking behaviours. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Adults (aged 18-59) attending the three designated primary care clinics from February 2006 to April 2006. A total of 399 questionnaires were distributed; 381 (95.5%) valid for analysis. Main outcome measures: Demographic data; details of reported URTI episodes; TCM used for the reported URTI episodes. Independent variables were tested by binary logistic regression. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted for variables with p<0.05 to determine possible independent predictors of TCM use in treating URTI. Results: 38.1% of all respondents tried at least 1 type of TCM during URTI episode. A quarter used western medicine and TCM either simultaneously (11.3%) or in the recovery stage of their illness (11.8%). Age and satisfaction scores for western medicine and TCM were shown to be independent predictors associated with TCM use in treating URTI. Conclusion: Use of TCM to treat URTI among adults attending private clinic is common especially among older patients. All general practitioners should be aware as a significant portion of TCM use happens while people are taking prescribed medications.