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Healthcare professional views and experiences of complementary and alternative therapies in obstetric practice in N orth E ast S cotland: a prospective questionnaire survey
Author(s) -
Stewart D,
Pallivalappila AR,
Shetty A,
Pande B,
McLay JS
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/1471-0528.12618
Subject(s) - medicine , health care , economics , economic growth
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the use of complementary and alternative medicines ( CAM s) therapy by UK healthcare professionals involved in the care of pregnant women, and to identify key predictors of use. Design A prospective survey. Setting Maternity services in Grampian, North East Scotland. Sample All healthcare professionals (135) involved in the care of pregnant women (midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists). Methods Questionnaire development, piloting, and distribution. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results A response rate of 87% was achieved. A third of respondents (32.5%) had recommended (prescribed, referred, or advised) the use of CAM s to pregnant women. The most frequently recommended CAM s modalities were: vitamins and minerals (excluding folic acid) (55%); massage (53%); homeopathy (50%); acupuncture (32%); yoga (32%); reflexology (26%); aromatherapy (24%); and herbal medicine (21%). Although univariate analysis identified that those who recommended CAM s were significantly more likely to be midwives who had been in post for more than 5 years, had received training in CAM s, were interested in CAM s, and were themselves users of CAM s, the only variable retained in bivariate logistic regression was ‘personal use of CAM ’, with an odds ratio of 8.26 (95% CI 3.09–22.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Despite the lack of safety or efficacy data, a wide variety of CAM therapies are recommended to pregnant women by approximately a third of healthcare professionals, with those recommending the use of CAM s being eight times more likely to be personal CAM users.