Use and perceived effectiveness of complementary medicine in infantile colic : a questionnaire survey for pharmacists and pharmacist assistants

Abstract: Infantile colic affects a large percentage of infants between the ages of two to sixteen weeks. Infants are usually diagnosed with infantile colic if they cry more than three hours each day, on more than three days a week, and for a period of more than three weeks. They may experience behavioural symptoms like excessive crying and/or screaming attacks, with associated motor behaviour symptoms such as a flushed face, furrowed brow, clenched fists and legs pulled up to the abdomen. Infants can be treated with conventional and/or complementary medication to alleviate the symptoms of infantile colic. The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing patters, use and perceived effectiveness of complementary medicine for infantile colic by pharmacists and pharmacist assistants in the greater Johannesburg area. Complementary medicine advising among pharmacists and pharmacist assistants are widespread and prevalent. The information gained is intended to provide valuable information on how complementary medicine is viewed by these professionals. Due to the increased use of complementary medicine, it necessitates the need for ongoing education and training for relevant stakeholders. This research was a quantitative, descriptive statistical survey design study. The sample group consisted of 100 pharmacists and pharmacist assistants in the greater Johannesburg area. The participants had to be qualified and registered with The South African Pharmacy Council and had to currently be employed in a pharmacy in this area. The researcher asked permission from the pharmacist on duty in each pharmacy and the participants were randomly invited to complete a survey regarding the use and perceived effectiveness of complementary medicine for infantile colic. The questionnaires were delivered to their place of work by the researcher for completion. Participation was voluntary and consent was given by the participants prior to completing the questionnaire. The questionnaire took about 5-10 minutes to complete. The data from the questionnaires was captured by the researcher and it was analysed with the assistance of STATKON, UJ, by using frequencies and custom tables. Forty seven pharmacists and 53 pharmacist assistants completed the surveys. The majority of participants (84%) agreed that patients expect more information from them regarding complementary medicine than 5 years ago and 86% agreed that they have a...M.Tech. (Homoeopathy