TY - JOUR
T1 - Utilization of traditional chinese medicine practitioners in later life in Mainland China
AU - Aw, Jessica Yi Han
AU - Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara Sbirakos
AU - Gong, Cathy Honge
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 by the authors.
PY - 2019/9/1
Y1 - 2019/9/1
N2 - Mainland China is one of the world's most rapidly aging countries, and yet there is very limited literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use in older individuals. This study aimed to determine the national and provincial prevalence of TCM practitioner utilization in later life and associated factors. We used World Health Organization China Study on Global Aging and Adult HealthWave 1 data to determine descriptive statistics of the study population of participants aged 50 years and over. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. A total of 14% of participants utilized a TCM practitioner, and the prevalence of utilization varied significantly by locality. Utilization was more likely in participants living in rural areas [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 12.96; p < 0.001], Hubei (OR = 7.17; p < 0.001), or Shandong provinces (OR = 4.21; p < 0.001) and being diagnosed with chronic lung disease (OR = 1.97; p = 0.005). Hence, rurality, provincial influence, and chronic lung diseases are significant factors associated with TCM practitioner utilization among older individuals in China. These findings may inform policy for preservation and development of TCM nationally as well as its sustainability in an increasingly aging society.
AB - Mainland China is one of the world's most rapidly aging countries, and yet there is very limited literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use in older individuals. This study aimed to determine the national and provincial prevalence of TCM practitioner utilization in later life and associated factors. We used World Health Organization China Study on Global Aging and Adult HealthWave 1 data to determine descriptive statistics of the study population of participants aged 50 years and over. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. A total of 14% of participants utilized a TCM practitioner, and the prevalence of utilization varied significantly by locality. Utilization was more likely in participants living in rural areas [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 12.96; p < 0.001], Hubei (OR = 7.17; p < 0.001), or Shandong provinces (OR = 4.21; p < 0.001) and being diagnosed with chronic lung disease (OR = 1.97; p = 0.005). Hence, rurality, provincial influence, and chronic lung diseases are significant factors associated with TCM practitioner utilization among older individuals in China. These findings may inform policy for preservation and development of TCM nationally as well as its sustainability in an increasingly aging society.
KW - Older Chinese
KW - TCM practitioner use
KW - Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85078332176&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/geriatrics4030049
DO - 10.3390/geriatrics4030049
M3 - Article
SN - 2308-3417
VL - 4
JO - Geriatrics (Switzerland)
JF - Geriatrics (Switzerland)
IS - 3
M1 - 49
ER -