Dimitrelis Sofia, Perry Lin, Gallagher Robyn, Duffield Christine, Sibbritt David, Nicholls Rachel, Xu Xiaoyue
University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Health,Broadway, NSW, Australia.
University of Sydney, Sydney Nursing School, NSW, Australia.
Complement Ther Med. 2017 Dec;35:39-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.017. Epub 2017 Sep 2.
To investigate the influence of work-related characteristics, health, health behaviours and symptoms on ingestible biologically-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use within the Australian nursing and midwifery workforce.
CAM use is widespread worldwide, but there is little research into nurses' and midwives' personal use of ingestible CAM in Australia.
An online survey in 2014-15 used validated instruments and items to examine use of ingestible biologically-based CAM (herbs, foods and vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and other supplements), and the health and work-related characteristics of 5041 nurses and midwives recruited through the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives Association and professional networks.
A small proportion of nurses (6.8%) identified as personal CAM users. Most were female, older, worked in foundational roles (frontline Registered and Enrolled Nurses/Midwives) and used one CAM, most commonly a multivitamin, although Vitamin D, Fish Oil, Calcium and Glucosamine±Chondroitin were also common. In comparison to non-users, CAM users were less likely to take sick days or indulge in risky drinking, but more likely to be symptomatic (with stiff joints, bodily/joint pain, severe tiredness, allergies, indigestion/heartburn), diagnosed with osteoarthritis and to adhere to healthy diet recommendations.
Findings showed a credible pattern of front line workers with physically demanding workloads that impact their physical health and are linked to frequent symptoms, using CAM treatments and achieving some success in being able to continue working and avoid sickness absence. Further investigation is warranted to protect and maintain the health of the nursing and midwifery workforce.
调查工作相关特征、健康状况、健康行为及症状对澳大利亚护士和助产士群体使用可摄入的生物源性补充和替代医学（CAM）的影响。
CAM在全球范围内广泛使用，但在澳大利亚，针对护士和助产士个人使用可摄入CAM的研究较少。
2014 - 15年开展的一项在线调查使用了经过验证的工具和项目，以调查5041名通过新南威尔士护士和助产士协会及专业网络招募的护士和助产士对可摄入的生物源性CAM（草药、食物、维生素、矿物质、氨基酸、酶及其他补充剂）的使用情况，以及他们的健康和工作相关特征。
一小部分护士（6.8%）表明自己是CAM的个人使用者。大多数为女性、年龄较大，从事基础岗位（一线注册护士和登记护士/助产士），且只使用一种CAM，最常见的是多种维生素，不过维生素D、鱼油、钙和葡萄糖胺±软骨素也较为常用。与非使用者相比，CAM使用者请病假或酗酒的可能性较小，但更可能出现症状（有关节僵硬、身体/关节疼痛、严重疲劳、过敏、消化不良/胃灼热），被诊断患有骨关节炎，并且更遵守健康饮食建议。
研究结果显示，一线工作者面临着对身体健康有影响且与频繁症状相关的繁重工作量，他们使用CAM疗法，并在能够继续工作和避免病假方面取得了一定成功，这一模式值得信赖。有必要进行进一步调查，以保护和维护护士和助产士群体的健康。
