Characteristics of visitors to homeopaths in a total adult population study in Norway (HUNT 2)

Objectives: To study the characteristics of people visiting homeopaths in a total adult population in Norway.

Methods: Data from a total population cross sectional health survey conducted in 1995–1997 in Central Norway (HUNT 2) with 65,495 participants. Variables included in the analysis were age, marital status, education, being a social welfare recipient, lifestyle (daily smoker), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-T), global health perception, self-reported health complaints and a variety of diseases. Significance level p < 0.01.

Results: 40,027 persons over 20 years answered the question on visits to a homeopath. 4.3% had consulted a homeopath during the last 12 months. The likelihood of a person consulting a homeopath was most strongly associated with being female (adjusted odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 2.1–2.6) and having a lower perceived global health (increasing from 1.5, 1.2–1.8 for good global health to 2.9, 1.9–4.3 for poor global health). There was a weaker but significant association between increased likelihood of visiting a homeopath and being 30–39 years (1.3, 1.1–1.4), having a HADS-T score between 10–14 (1.3, 1.1–1.6) and 15–19 (1.6, 1.3–2.0), having a health complaint the last year (1.5, 1.2–1.7), hay fever (1.7, 1.5–2.0), consulted for a psychiatric complaint (1.5, 1.3–1.8) and another chronic disease than the ones asked about in this study (1.3, 1.1–1.6). Being a smoker was significantly associated with decreased likelihood of consulting a homeopath (0.7, 0.6–0.7). There was also a trend for increased likelihood of visits to homeopaths (p < 0.1) for those 60 years and over, social welfare recipients, having a chronic complaint and HADS-T score of 20 or higher, and decreased likelihood for widow(er)s.

Conclusions and proposals: Being female and having a lower perceived global health were the variables most strongly associated with visits to a homeopath. More studies on visits to homeopaths from other populations (countries, children and adolescent) are needed.

Keywords

Homeopathy - Norway - Population - Health services

• References

• 1 Eisenberg D.M., Davis R.B., Ettner S.L. et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998; Nov 11; 280 (18) 1569-1575.
• 2 Tindle H.A., Davis R.B., Phillips R.S., Eisenberg D.M. Trends in use of complementary and alternative medicine by US adults: 1997–2002. Altern Ther Health Med 2005; Jan; 11 (01) 42-49.
• 3 Thomas K.J., Nicholl J.P., Coleman P. Use and expenditure on complementary medicine in England: a population based survey. Complement Ther Med 2001; Mar; 9 (01) 2-11.
• 4 Thomas K., Coleman P. Use of complementary or alternative medicine in a general population in Great Britain. Results from the National Omnibus survey. J Public Health (Oxf) 2004; Jun; 26 (02) 152-157.
• 5 Statistisk sentralbyrå. Helseundersøkelsen. Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå; 1995. 1997.
• 6 Nasjonalt informasjonssenter for alternativ behandling. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in Norway 2007. Tromsø: Nasjonalt informasjonssenter for alternativ behandling; [Bruk av alternativ behandling i Norge]. 2007.
• 7 Anelli M., Scheepers L., Sermeus G., Van Wassenhoven M. Homeopathy and health related Quality of Life: a survey in six European countries. Homeopathy 2002; Jan; 91 (01) 18-21.
• 8 Clover A. Patient benefit survey: Tunbridge Wells homoeopathic hospital. Br Homeopath J 2000; Apr; 89 (02) 68-72.
• 9 Colin P. An epidemiological study of a homeopathic practice. Br Homeopath J 2000; Jul; 89 (03) 116-121.
• 10 Swayne J.M. Survey of the use of homeopathic medicine in the UK health system. J R Coll Gen Pract 1989 Dec; (329 VI): 503-506.
• 11 Sevar R. Audit of outcome in 829 consecutive patients treated with homeopathic medicines. Br Homeopath J 2000; Oct; 89 (04) 178-187.
• 12 Richardson W.R. Patient benefit survey: Liverpool Regional Department of Homoeopathic Medicine. Br Homeopath J 2001; Jul; 90 (03) 158-162.
• 13 Lee A.C., Kemper K.J. Homeopathy and naturopathy: practice characteristics and pediatric care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000; Jan; 154 (01) 75-80.
• 14 Jansen G.R., Koster T.G. Complaints and diagnoses in homoeopathic practice: a tentative stock-taking. Br Homeopath J 1995; 84 (03) 140-143.
• 15 Jacobs J., Chapman E.H., Crothers D. Patient characteristics and practice patterns of physicians using homeopathy. Arch Fam Med 1998; Nov; 7 (06) 537-540.
• 16 Goldstein M.S., Glik D. Use of and satisfaction with homeopathy in a patient population. Altern Ther Health Med 1998; Mar; 4 (02) 60-65.
• 17 Steinsbekk A., Fonnebo V. Users of homeopaths in Norway in 1998, compared to previous users and GP patients. Homeopathy 2003; Jan; 92 (01) 3-10.
• 18 Becker-Witt C., Lüdtke R., Weißhuhn T., Willich S. Diagnoses and treatment in homeopathic medical practice. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2004; 11: 98-103.
• 19 Trichard M., Lamure E., Chaufferin G. Study of the practice of homeopathic general practitioners in France. Homeopathy 2003; Jul; 92 (03) 135-139.
• 20 Van Wassenhoven M., Ives G. An observational study of patients receiving homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy 2004; Jan; 93 (01) 3-11.
• 21 Relton C., Chatfield K., Partington H., Foulkes L. Patients treated by homeopaths registered with the Society of Homeopaths: a pilot study. Homeopathy 2007; Apr; 96 (02) 87-89.
• 22 Slade K., Chohan B.P., Barker P.J. Evaluation of a GP practice based homeopathy service. Homeopathy 2004; Apr; 93 (02) 67-70.
• 23 Treuherz F. Homeopathy in general practice: a descriptive report of work with 500 consecutive patients. Br Homeopath J 2000; Jul; 89 (S1): 43.
• 24 Sevar R. Audit of outcome in 455 consecutive patients treated with homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy 2005; Oct; 94 (04) 215-221.
• 25 Viksveen P., Steinsbekk A. Changes in patients visiting a homeopathic clinic in Norway from 1994 to 2004. Homeopathy 2005; Oct; 94 (04) 222-228.
• 26 Bjelland I., Dahl A.A., Haug T.T., Neckelmann D. The validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. An updated literature review. J Psychosom Res 2002; Feb; 52 (02) 69-77.
• 27 Scott A. Homeopathy as a feminist form of medicine. Sociol Health Illn 1998; 20 (02) 191-214.
• 28 Pomposelli R., Andreoni C., Costini G. et al. Opinions and self-reported health status of Italians seeking homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy 2006; Apr; 95 (02) 81-87.
• 29 Fayers P.M., Sprangers M.A. Understanding self-rated health. Lancet 2002; Jan 19; 359 (9302): 187-188.