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Table 2 Respondent health status and healthcare access and utilization measures, and associations with CAM use, 2002 NHIS (weighted)

From: Health behaviors and risk factors in those who use complementary and alternative medicine

Characteristic

% of Sample

% of group using CAM in last 12 months

UORa

99% CIb

AORc

99% CIb

Health compared to 12 months ago

      

   Worse

8.8

42.7

1.52

1.34–1.72

1.13

0.98–1.31

   Same

73.8

32.9

1.00

.

1.00

.

   Better

17.4

46.3

1.76

1.60–1.94

1.39

1.25–1.56

Functional limitation d

      

   Yes

30.6

43.0

1.53

1.41–1.65

1.30

1.16–1.45

   No

69.5

33.1

1.00

.

1.00

.

Number of health conditions e

      

   0 conditions

22.5

21.1

1.00

.

1.00

.

   1–2 conditions

29.7

32.1

1.77

1.57–1.99

1.55

1.37–1.75

   3–5 conditions

25.4

41.8

2.69

2.39–3.03

2.29

1.99–2.64

   6+ conditions

22.4

49.0

3.61

3.19–4.08

3.33

2.80–3.97

Number of doctor visits in past 12 months

      

   0 visits

19.0

24.9

1.00

.

1.00

.

   1 visit

16.7

30.7

1.33

1.17–1.52

1.05

0.90–1.23

   2–3 visits

25.5

36.4

1.72

1.52–1.95

1.21

1.05–1.40

   4–9 visits

24.6

40.2

2.03

1.80–2.28

1.30

1.11–1.52

   10+ visits

14.2

49.9

3.01

2.62–3.45

1.78

1.49–2.13

Health insurance status

      

   Uninsured

15.5

31.0

1.00

.

1.00

.

   Private insurance

70.8

38.9

1.42

1.27–1.58

0.95

0.83–1.10

   Public insurance

13.7

27.6

0.85

0.74–0.98

0.83

0.70–0.99

Delayed conventional care for reasons other than cost f

      

   Yes

9.0

56.3

2.31

2.05–2.60

1.51

1.32–1.73

   No

91.0

43.9

1.00

.

1.00

.

Delayed conventional care because of cost

      

   Yes

9.5

46.6

1.62

1.45–1.81

1.34

1.16–1.54

   No

90.5

35.0

1.00

.

1.00

.

Used prescription medications in past 12 months

      

   Yes

67.0

40.0

1.71

1.57–1.87

0.93

0.83–1.04

   No

33.0

28.0

1.00

.

1.00

.

Used over-the-counter medications in past 12 months

      

   Yes

78.2

39.1

1.89

1.72–2.08

1.23

1.10–1.37

   No

21.8

25.3

1.00

.

1.00

.

  1. a Unadjusted odds ratios. Sets of bivariate logistic regressions were performed to determine associations between each independent and control variable and CAM use.
  2. b More conservative 99% confidence intervals were used because of the enhanced statistical power generated by the large sample size.
  3. c Adjusted odds ratios. Each variable is adjusted for all other variables in Tables 1, 2, and 3.
  4. d "Functional limitation" is defined as any difficulty: walking a quarter of a mile, standing for two hours, stooping/bending/kneeling, climbing 10 steps without resting, sitting for two hours, reaching up over the head, using your fingers to grasp small objects, lifting or carrying a 10-pound item, or pushing/pulling a large object.
  5. e "Number of health conditions" is a count variable of approximately 50 chronic and non-chronic conditions found in the Sample Adult core. These include hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, other heart condition, stroke, emphysema, high cholesterol, poor circulation, irregular heartbeats, congestive heart failure, asthma, ulcer, irritable/inflammatory bowel, thyroid problem, urinary problem, food allergy, allergy to medication, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, neuropathy, seizures, cancer, diabetes, hay fever, sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, weak or failing kidneys, liver condition, arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, insomnia, fatigue, recurring pain, depression, severe sprain or strains, dental pain, skin problems, joint pain, neck pain, low back pain, facial pain, severe headache or migraine, head or chest cold, and stomach or intestinal illness.
  6. f "Delayed conventional care for reasons other than cost" is coded "yes" if the sample adult: couldn't get through on the telephone, couldn't get an appointment soon enough, had to wait too long to see the doctor, couldn't get to a clinic or doctor's office when open, or didn't have transportation.
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BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

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