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Annals of Family Medicine 6:S12-S15 (2008)
© 2008 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
doi: 10.1370/afm.736
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Investigating Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in a Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Community in South Carolina

Philip Trangmar, MD and Vanessa A. Diaz, MD, MS

Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Family Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Vanessa A. Diaz, MD, Medical University of South Carolina, 295 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29407, diazva{at}musc.edu

PURPOSE This study investigated the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by Spanish-speaking Hispanics in the Charleston, South Carolina, area.

METHODS We administered Spanish-language questionnaires regarding use of CAM to Spanish-speaking Hispanics seeking care at either a community-based residency practice or a rural community health center.

RESULTS Overall, 69% of the 70 respondents indicated that they used some type of CAM. The most common reason for using CAM was being taught to do so by family members (33%); other common reasons included a failure by their medical professionals to diagnose their problem (29%), a lack of conventional medical treatment for their problem (29%), and being unhappy with previous medical advice (21%). The main medical conditions being treated with CAM were infections (65%) and constipation and diarrhea (54%), but pregnancy-related issues were also cited (27%).

CONCLUSIONS These findings improve our understanding of alternative health care practices of Spanish-speaking Hispanics visiting primary care clinics in South Carolina. Addressing patients’ reasons for CAM use may help health care professionals develop patient-centered treatment plans.

Key Words: Complementary therapies • self medication • Hispanic Americans • beliefs • customs • primary care • acceptability of health care






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