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Table 3 The proportion users and non-users of CAM who agree* with the statements (n = 4032) (significant p-values in bold)

From: The use of complementary and alternative medicine products in preceding two days among Finnish parents - a population survey

Statement

CAM user n = 1242% (n/all CAM users)

Non-users of CAM n = 2725% (n/all non-users of CAM)

Pearson x 2 P

General statements

   

Medicines are necessary in treating illnesses.

88 (1088/1236)

88 (2372/2720)

0.470

Prescription medicines are effective.

75 (932/1236)

76 (2072/2723)

0.639

Interactions of medicines worry me.

68 (837/1236)

60 (1635/2722)

< 0.001

Prescription medicines are safe.

65 (799/1236)

69 (1872/2723)

0.011

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are safe.

55 (679/1236)

56 (1524/2723)

0.545

The more you need to use analgesics the less effective they are for pain.

54 (672/1235)

56 (1532/2722)

0.273

OTC medicines are effective.

45 (555/1236)

43 (1167/2722)

0.233

Medicines can disturb the body's own capability to heal illnesses.

43 (533/1236)

39 (1051/2720)

0.008

Medicines are unnatural to the human body.

27 (328/1236)

21 (567/2721)

< 0.001

Long-term use of analgesics reduces the pain threshold.

25 (312/1236)

26 (697/2722)

0.808

Medicines are dangerous, even when used according to the instructions.

8 (92/1234)

5 (135/2723)

0.002

Statements connected to child's medicine use

   

Medicines that a doctor has prescribed for the child are necessary.

77 (955/1236)

81 (2193/2722)

0.017

Side-effects of children's medicines worry me.

69 (854/1236)

61 (1663/2721)

< 0.001

I try to avoid giving medicines to my child.

69 (848/1236)

63 (1709/2723)

< 0.001

I take care of my child's minor ailments by using OTC medicines

69 (848/1236)

66 (1798/2721)

0.117

I take my child to see a doctor only when other ways of treatment do not help.

49 (609/1236)

48 (1294/2723)

0.307

Doctors prescribe antibiotics to children too easily.

48 (589/1236)

43 (1157/2721)

0.003

Fewer, a natural means of defense of the child's body, should not be lowered artificially with medicines.

37 (460/1236)

35 (945/2723)

0.126

I try to take care of my child's ailments by some other means than using medicines.

37 (452/1236)

32 (866/2722)

0.003

I usually give less analgesic to the child than is recommended in the instructions.

24 (294/1236)

25 (687/2722)

0.327

The child needs to learn how to bear the pain.

10 (125/1236)

9 (235/2724)

0.132

  1. *agree & totally agree