Investigating Complementary and Alterna- tive Medicine Use in a Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Community in South Carolina

PURPOSE This study investigated the use of complementary and alternative med-icine (CAM) by Spanish-speaking Hispanics in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. METHODS We administered Spanish-language questionnaires regarding use of CAM to Spanish-speaking Hispanics seeking care at either a community-based residency practice or a rural community health center. RESULTS Overall, 69 % of the 70 respondents indicated that they used some type of CAM. The most common reason for using CAM was being taught to do so by family members (33%); other common reasons included a failure by their medi-cal professionals to diagnose their problem (29%), a lack of conventional medical treatment for their problem (29%), and being unhappy with previous medical advice (21%). The main medical conditions being treated with CAM were infec-tions (65%) and constipation and diarrhea (54%), but pregnancy-related issues were also cited (27%). CONCLUSIONS These fi ndings improve our understanding of alternative health care practices of Spanish-speaking Hispanics visiting primary care clinics in South Carolina. Addressing patients ’ reasons for CAM use may help health care profes-sionals develop patient-centered treatment plans. Ann Fam Med 2008;6(suppl 1):s12-s15. DOI: 10.1370/afm.736