Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China
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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-08-01
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| Series: | Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/4/3/49 |
| _version_ | 1811270928889282560 |
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| author | Jessica Yi Han Aw Vasoontara Sbirakos Yiengprugsawan Cathy Honge Gong |
| author_facet | Jessica Yi Han Aw Vasoontara Sbirakos Yiengprugsawan Cathy Honge Gong |
| author_sort | Jessica Yi Han Aw |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 Health Wave 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; <i>p</i> < 0.001], Hubei (OR = 7.17; <i>p</i> < 0.001), or Shandong provinces (OR = 4.21; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and being diagnosed with chronic lung disease (OR = 1.97; <i>p</i> = 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:10:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-976cfe7658bc437bb2ee30d2a8875701 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2308-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:10:57Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-976cfe7658bc437bb2ee30d2a88757012022-12-22T03:14:45ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172019-08-01434910.3390/geriatrics4030049geriatrics4030049Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland ChinaJessica Yi Han Aw0Vasoontara Sbirakos Yiengprugsawan1Cathy Honge Gong2Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing (CRAHW), Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, AustraliaCentre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing (CRAHW), Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, AustraliaCentre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing (CRAHW), Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, AustraliaMainland 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 Health Wave 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; <i>p</i> < 0.001], Hubei (OR = 7.17; <i>p</i> < 0.001), or Shandong provinces (OR = 4.21; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and being diagnosed with chronic lung disease (OR = 1.97; <i>p</i> = 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/4/3/49traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM practitioner useolder Chinese |
| spellingShingle | Jessica Yi Han Aw Vasoontara Sbirakos Yiengprugsawan Cathy Honge Gong Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China Geriatrics traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM practitioner use older Chinese |
| title | Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China |
| title_full | Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China |
| title_fullStr | Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China |
| title_short | Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China |
| title_sort | utilization of traditional chinese medicine practitioners in later life in mainland china |
| topic | traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), TCM practitioner use older Chinese |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/4/3/49 |
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