Complementary and Alternative Medication (CAM) Use and Asthma Outcomes in Children: An Urban Perspective

Abstract

Asthma is a disease of significant social magnitude that disproportionately affects children from minority and low-income backgrounds. Poor asthma management is one of the leading causes for high morbidity and mortality rates. In addition to conventional medications, many parents use complementary and alternative medication (CAM) to treat their child's asthma symptoms. This study explored the impact of CAM use on asthma control and risks for nonadherence to conventional medications in 66 parents of children with asthma. Positive parental beliefs about CAM were significantly associated with greater risks for nonadherence and poorer asthma control. Future research should assess the specific pathways that may account for these associations among CAM use and asthma outcomes.

Keywords:

• complemementary and alternative medicine
• childhood asthma
• minority
• adherence
• asthma control