Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Sweden: a cross-sectional survey.

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, associations, and reasons for the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Sweden, as well as to further explore possible self-perceived outcomes including adverse effects as well as the sources of information used. Methods: D...

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Published in:Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 529 - 538
Main Authors: Danell, Jenny-Ann Brodin, Wode, Kathrin, Jong, Miek, Kristoffersen, Agnete Egilsdatter, van der Werf, Esther, Nordberg, Johanna Hök
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Sep2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Sep2025
      vid: 43
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        atl: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Sweden: a cross-sectional survey.
      aug:
        au:
          Danell, Jenny-Ann Brodin
          Wode, Kathrin
          Jong, Miek
          Kristoffersen, Agnete Egilsdatter
          van der Werf, Esther
          Nordberg, Johanna Hök
        affil: Department of Sociology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
      sug:
        subj:
          Alternative Therapies Utilization
          Information Resources Utilization
          Self Concept
          Treatment Outcomes
          Alternative Therapies Adverse Effects
          Patient-Reported Outcomes
          Human
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Male
          Female
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Sweden
          Funding Source
          Interviews
          Questionnaires
          Descriptive Statistics
          Wellness
          Chronic Disease Therapy
          COVID-19 Therapy
          COVID-19 Prevention and Control
          Medicine, Traditional
          Dietary Supplements
          Self Care
          Comparative Studies
          Sex Factors
          Age Factors
          Association (Research)
          Communications Media
          Internet
          Family
          Friendship
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Male
          Female
      ab: Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, associations, and reasons for the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Sweden, as well as to further explore possible self-perceived outcomes including adverse effects as well as the sources of information used. Methods: Data were collected by a cross-sectional survey, administered by computer assisted telephone interviews, in June 2020 (n = 500), during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was a modified version of the International Questionnaire to measure use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) instrument. Results: 63.6% of respondents reported use of CAM. The most common reasons for use were to improve general well-being and/or to treat long-term illness or its symptoms. Very few used CAM to prevent or treat COVID-19. The most used CAMs were natural remedies and dietary supplements (50%), followed by self-help practices (33.2%) and consultation of CAM providers (13%). Women, those of older age (40+), and living in larger cities were more likely to use CAMs compared to the entire sample. Household income or level of education did not predict CAM use. Few adverse effects were reported. The main sources for information were media and the Internet followed by family and friends. Conclusions: This study contributes with updated knowledge about Swedish citizens' use of CAM. The results are important to inform health care policy about patterns of CAM use among Swedish citizens.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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