Multilevel Analysis of utility of traditional and complementary medicine in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Huang, Yu-Chiao, 黃郁喬
• Other Authors: 葉美玲
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/09125243378069142518

碩士 === 國立台北護理學院 === 中西醫結合護理研究所 === 96 === The purpose of this study was to explore the influences of TM/CAM use on the individual and the aggregate levels by using the multilevel analysis. Data for the individual level analysis was retrieved from the project, entitled Information needs, pattern and predictors of use of complementary and alternative medicine in Taiwan, sponsored by the Department of Health. Data for the aggregate level was retrieved form the government databank on the website. The results of this study showed, 86.9% of subjects at least had used one kind of TM/CAM in a past year. For the individual level, TM/CAM use was negatively correlated with age, gender, perceived health status, recognized TM/CAM; and positively correlated with educational levels, TM/CAM information gathered, income, experience of treatment, expenditure of TM/CAM, and satisfaction of TM/CAM use. Most of subjects got Chinese herbal medicine from medical facilities or not were female, 26-45 years old, the high school educational level, and allocated in the northern area. For those who purchased Chinese herbal medicine from media were male, 60 years old, the elementary educational level, and allocated in the southern area. Most treated by acupuncture in medical facilities were female, 26-45 years old, the school educational level, and allocated in the northern area, however, for those were treated in non-medical facilities were female, 46-60 years old, high educational levels, and allocated in the northern area. For the aggregate level, TM/CAM use was negatively correlated with the elderly population ratio, and positively correlated with the numbers of TM clinic and TM physicians, household revenue and expenditure, Engel Coefficients, unemployment, labor force population. The results of multilevel analysis showed the significant differences for the individual and aggregated levels, and with contextual variables. The explained variance was 8.1%.