Atekoja Oluwabusolami Esther, Salako Omolabake Fathiat, Oluseye Olabisi, Okanlawon Funmilayo
Department of Nursing Science Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Department of Nursing Science Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
J Pediatr Nurs. 2025 Mar-Apr;81:118-125. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.01.016. Epub 2025 Jan 30.
The utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been on the rise, despite the expansion of conventional medicine across populations. The choice and utilization of CAM are informed by individuals' health-care-seeking behavior and the derived benefits. This study examined the factors responsible for the choice and utilization of CAM in the management of common childhood diseases among residents of Makun community, Sagamu, Ogun state Nigeria.
A descriptive cross-sectional design was adapted for this study, using an interview-administered questionnaire to elicit data on respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, utilization, and factors influencing the utilization of CAM and perceived effects and satisfaction. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 332 respondents comprising 129 males and 203 females. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and presented using tables, percentages, and frequencies.
The findings revealed the following as the most influencing factors for the choice and utilization of CAM: Effectiveness (75.9 %), affordability (82.9 %), accessibility (81.7 %), and tolerance for children (44.6 %). CAM therapies that are always utilized in the management of common childhood diseases include herbal medicine (36.7 %), natural supplements (21.4 %), dietary therapy (13.3 %), and chiropractic (10.2 %). Perceived benefits include satisfaction (71.1 %), effectiveness (45.8 %), safety (37.3 %), and minimal side effects (46.7 %).
The study concludes that despite the popularity of conventional or orthodox medicine in Nigeria, there is still a significant percentage of the population who actively utilize complementary and alternative medicine therapies in the management of common childhood diseases. CAM therapies are mostly used in communities as either primary or adjunct therapy, due to high perceived safety and effectiveness.
It is pertinent for Nurses to be aware of the knowledge of CAM and It is pertinent for Nurses to be aware of the growing popularity and utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in managing common childhood diseases. Nurses need to develop solid strategies to ensure there is an open conversation regarding CAM use by clients towards improving the care of communities and mitigating the uncontrolled utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in the care of children.
尽管传统医学在人群中的应用不断扩大，但补充和替代医学（CAM）的使用却呈上升趋势。CAM的选择和使用受个人寻求医疗保健行为及所获益处的影响。本研究调查了尼日利亚奥贡州萨加穆马昆社区居民在治疗常见儿童疾病时选择和使用CAM的相关因素。
本研究采用描述性横断面设计，通过访谈问卷收集受访者的社会人口学特征、知识、使用情况以及影响CAM使用的因素、感知效果和满意度等数据。采用多阶段抽样技术，共选取332名受访者，其中男性129名，女性203名。数据使用社会科学统计软件包进行分析，并以表格、百分比和频率形式呈现。
研究结果显示，以下因素对CAM的选择和使用影响最大：有效性（75.9%）、可承受性（82.9%）、可及性（81.7%）以及对儿童的耐受性（44.6%）。在治疗常见儿童疾病时经常使用的CAM疗法包括草药（36.7%）、天然补充剂（21.4%）、饮食疗法（13.3%）和脊椎按摩疗法（10.2%）。感知到的益处包括满意度（71.1%）、有效性（45.8%）、安全性（37.3%）和副作用最小（46.7%）。
研究得出结论，尽管传统医学或正统医学在尼日利亚很受欢迎，但仍有相当比例的人口在治疗常见儿童疾病时积极使用补充和替代医学疗法。由于人们普遍认为CAM疗法安全性高且有效，因此在社区中大多作为主要或辅助疗法使用。
护士有必要了解CAM知识，且有必要意识到补充和替代医学在治疗常见儿童疾病方面日益普及和使用。护士需要制定切实可行的策略，以确保就患者使用CAM的问题展开公开讨论，从而改善社区护理，并减少在儿童护理中对补充和替代医学的无节制使用。
