[Alternative therapies in Denmark--use, users and motives for the use]

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Denmark, possible associations between the use of CAM and various socio-economic variables, and motives for the use of CAM.

Materials and methods: Our data derived from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey, 2003. The sample consisted of 4,000 Danish citizens aged 18 years or older, of whom 2,593 (65%) completed the interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the use of CAM and various socio-economic variables.

Results: The survey revealed that 40.2% had ever used CAM and 20.1% had used CAM within the last year. Of those reporting having used CAM ever, reflexology (22.7%), massage/osteopathy/other manipulative techniques (16.5%) and acupuncture (16.2%) were the most frequently used. The use of CAM was more common among women than men, among people aged 30-66 years and among people with 13-14 years of education. There was no association between marital status and CAM. Thirty-nine percent of those having ever used CAM stated that CAM is a supplement to the treatment received in the conventional Danish health care system. CAM was used mainly to treat mild symptoms/diseases (39%) and as prevention or for increased well-being (22%). More women than men stated that they wished to take an active part in their own treatment (30% versus 14%) and cited the unwanted side effects of conventional medicine (16% versus 7%) as a motive for using CAM.

Conclusion: This study shows that the use of CAM is not a hot trend but the continuation of a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.