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Survey Items: CCO_USEM; CCO_USM; CMS_USEM; CMS_USM; CAC_USEM; CAC_USM; CEH_USEM; CEH_USM; CNT_USEM; CNT_USM; CHY_USEM; CHY_USM; CBI_USEM; CBI_USM; CAY_USEM; CAY_USM; CCH_USEM; CCH_USM; CCS_USEM; CCS_USM; CTRU_NAH; CTRU_SHA; CTRU_CUR; CTRU_YER; CTRU_SOB; CTRU_HUE; CVT_ABUM; CVT_CAUM; CHB_USM; CHM_USM; CMBU_MAN; CMBU_MND; CMBU_SPR; CMBU_IMG; CMBU_PRO; CYGU_YOG; CYGU_TAI; CYGU_QIG; CDT_USM1; CDT_USM2; CDT_USM3; CDT_USM4; CDT_USM5; CMMV_FLD; CMVU_FLD; CMV_ALX; CMVU_ALX; CMV_PIL; CMVU_PIL; CMV_TPI; CMVU_TPI
Denominator: Children age 4-17 years
Numerator: Children who used one or more CAM modalities; Children who did not use CAM
Revisions and Changes: The 2007 Child CAM supplement asked questions of all sample children, regardless of age, while the 2012 Child CAM supplement excluded children under the age of 4. Analysts who are interested in comparing estimates from 2007 to 2012 should take this difference into account in their analysis. The survey items asking whether the child ever used the specific CAM modalities are new in the 2012 survey. New CAM modalities asked about in 2012 are craniosacral therapy and traditional healers such as Huesero, Machi, and Parchero. Only certain types of meditation (Mantra, Mindfulness, and Spiritual) were asked about on use of meditation in the past 12 months. Stress management classes, support group meetings and some types of traditional healers such as Espiritista and Botanica were not asked in 2012. In 2012, there was no question specifically asking about use of deep breathing exercise. However, those who used hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, yoga, tai chi or qi gong were asked whether they used deep breathing exercise as part of these modalities. In 2007, the survey asked only whether the child has seen a practitioner for provider-based therapies. It did not ask about use of those modalities if the child had not seen a practitioner.
Additional Notes: This CAM use definition DOES NOT include multi-vitamins and multi-minerals. However, it includes specific vitamins and minerals asked in the survey: vitamins A,B,C,D,E,H,K, other OR calcium, magnesium, iron, chromium, zinc, selenium, potassium, and other. The definition also includes 33 CAM modalities asked about in the 2012 survey: chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, massage, energy healing therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, ayurveda, chelation, craniosacral therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, homeopathy, traditional healers (Native American Healer/Medicine Man, Shaman, Curandero/Machi/Parchero, Yerbero/Hierbista, Sobador, and Huesero), herbal supplements, meditation (Mantra, Mindfulness, Spiritual), guided imagery, progressive relaxation, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, special diets (vegetarian, macrobiotic, Atkins, Pritikin, Ornish) and movement or exercise techniques (Feldenkrais, Alexander technique, Pilates, and Trager psychophysical Integration). Three types of meditation counted as one CAM modality. Children's use of CAM in the past 12 months was defined using two survey items for chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, massage, acupuncture, energy healing therapy, naturopathy, hypnosis, biofeedback, Ayurveda, chelation, craniosacral therapy, and movement and exercise techniques: (1) child saw a practitioner OR (2) child used in the past 12 months.
Treatment of Unknown Values: Unknown values (responses coded as 'refused', 'don't know', or ‘not ascertained’) are not included in the denominator when calculating prevalence estimates and weighted population counts displayed in the data query results table. Respondents who did not provide a response to any of the questions within the Child CAM Supplement were coded as “not ascertained” (n=195, 1.9% of sample children aged 4-17 years). Weighted population counts are underestimates due to both item nonresponse and unknowns, both of which are excluded from the counts.
History and Development: The Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) questionnaire, developed by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in collaboration with National Center for Health Statistics was fielded in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) as a supplement in 2007 and 2012. NHIS has been conducted annually since 1957 and the content of the survey has been updated every 10-15 years. The Child CAM survey instrument was developed based on extensive literature reviews, expert panel input and cognitive interviewing method. Previously validated questions and scales are used when available. In addition to these, the 2012 CAM Supplement questionnaire was updated based on qualitative analysis of the 2007 data and a series of focus groups with experts and family leaders. Respondents’ cognitive understanding of the survey questions is assessed during the pretest phase and revisions made as required. All final data components are verified by NCHS staff prior to public release. For more information about the survey development click here.
C.I. = 95% Confidence Interval. Percentages and population estimates (Pop.Est.) are weighted to represent child population in US.
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With funding and direction from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National Health Interview Survey Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement was conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau under the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. CAHMI is responsible for the analyses, interpretations, presentations and conclusions included on this site.
Suggested citation format: National Health Interview Survey Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement. NHIS-CAM 2012. Data query from the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health website. Retrieved [mm/dd/yy] from [www.childhealthdata.org].