Use and attitudes towards natural and homeopathic remedies in pediatric patients: a survey of Colombian physicians
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Abstract
Background. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has increasingly been used all over the world, not only in adults but also in children. Despite the strong interest in CAM, there are few published data on their usage in the clinical practice, especially for non-English speaking countries and for the pediatric population.
Objective. To better understand the physicians’ usage, knowledge, and attitudes towards natural remedies and homeopathy, an international survey involving general pediatricians and general practitioners treating pediatric diseases was conducted in 6 countries: Germany, Russia, Bulgaria, Spain, Colombia, and Israel. In the present paper only the data referred to Colombia are discussed and compared with the overall results.
Methods. The international survey has been performed by a multi-country approach. Data were collected in May and June 2014 through a structured online questionnaire administered to pediatricians and general practitioners who treat children.
Results. In Colombia, a total of 51 physicians participated to the study: 80% of the respondents were pediatricians, and 20% were general practitioners or primary care practitioners. 12.7% of the pediatric prescriptions/recommendations referred to homeopathic preparations, and 8.6% referred phytotherapy. Natural remedies and homeopathy was commonly used together with conventional/standard drugs. Upper respiratory tract infections (42%), allergies (39%), recurrent infections (35%), sleep disturbances (32%), acute abdominal problems (26%), infant colic (23%) and behavioral problems (19%) were the most common diseases treated with homeopathy. Typical patients treated with natural remedies were children with parents who were concerned about side effects of conventional drugs (30%), and who preferred natural remedies for themselves (40%). A slight tendency to use natural remedies in younger patients (0-6 years) with chronic disease was reported.
Conclusions. The attitude of the healthcare professionals in Colombia appears positive to the CAM. Remarkable is the difference between homeopathic and phytotherapic remedies: despite the traditional use of medicine plants, in Colombia there are more prescriptions for homeopathy than for herbal medicine.
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