Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Aug 25;4(3):49.
doi: 10.3390/geriatrics4030049.

Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China

Jessica Yi Han Aw  1 , Vasoontara Sbirakos Yiengprugsawan  2   3 , Cathy Honge Gong  2   3
Affiliations

Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China

Jessica Yi Han Aw et al. Geriatrics (Basel). .

Abstract

Mainland China is one of the world's most rapidly aging countries, and yet there is very limited literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use in older individuals. This study aimed to determine the national and provincial prevalence of TCM practitioner utilization in later life and associated factors. We used World Health Organization China Study on Global Aging and Adult Health Wave 1 data to determine descriptive statistics of the study population of participants aged 50 years and over. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. A total of 14% of participants utilized a TCM practitioner, and the prevalence of utilization varied significantly by locality. Utilization was more likely in participants living in rural areas [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 12.96; p < 0.001], Hubei (OR = 7.17; p < 0.001), or Shandong provinces (OR = 4.21; p < 0.001) and being diagnosed with chronic lung disease (OR = 1.97; p = 0.005). Hence, rurality, provincial influence, and chronic lung diseases are significant factors associated with TCM practitioner utilization among older individuals in China. These findings may inform policy for preservation and development of TCM nationally as well as its sustainability in an increasingly aging society.

Keywords: older Chinese; traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM practitioner use.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

    1. World Health Organization Ageing and Health. [(accessed on 20 January 2018)]; Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health.
    1. Wang X.Q., Chen P.J. Population ageing challenges health care in China. Lancet. 2014;383:870. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60443-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Lai D., Chappell N. Use of traditional Chinese medicine by older Chinese immigrants in Canada. Fam. Pract. 2006;24:56–64. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cml058. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Chung V.C., Ma P.H., Lau C.H., Wong S.Y., Yeoh E.K., Griffiths S.M. Views on traditional Chinese medicine amongst Chinese population: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Health Expect. 2014;17:622–636. doi: 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2012.00794.x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kaboli P.J., Doebbeling B.N., Saag K.G., Rosenthal G.E. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by older patients with arthritis: A population-based study. Arthritis Care Res. 2001;45:398–403. doi: 10.1002/1529-0131(200108)45:4<398::AID-ART354>3.0.CO;2-I. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources