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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 3/2016

01-06-2016 | Original Paper

Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Immigrants

Authors: Bilikisu Reni Elewonibi, Rhonda BeLue

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Immigrants face barriers to accessing conventional health care systems. Hence, they are expected to have comparatively greater use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This study examines the prevalence of and reason for CAM use in the U.S. population by citizenship status. Data on 34,483 U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-U.S. citizens from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey was used. CAM was categorized into four domains. Analyses controlling for socioeconomic variables were identified patterns of utilization and reasons for use. The prevalence of all CAM domains was lowest among non-U.S. citizens followed by naturalized citizens. The odds of using CAM were also higher for the immigrants who attained citizenship than for non-citizens. Individuals in all groups reported using more CAM for prevention. Factors related to cost, accessibility, or knowledge of CAM use may contribute to lower use of CAM by naturalized and non-U.S. citizens.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Immigrants
Authors
Bilikisu Reni Elewonibi
Rhonda BeLue
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0210-4

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