Research Article

Use of Chinese Herb Medicine in Cancer Patients: A Survey in Southwestern China

Table 1

Demographic characteristics and CHM use.

Background No. of patientsNo. of Users (%)No. of nonusers (%)P (χ 2 test)

Total587311(52.98)276(47.02)
Age (years)0.53
 <4011164(57.66)47(42.34)
 40–60290149(51.38)141(48.62)
 >6018698(52.69)88(47.31)
Gender0.30
 Male 355182(51.27)173(48.73)
 Female 232129(55.60)103(44.40)
Marital status0.51
 Married 533286(53.66)247(46.34)
 Never2812(42.86)16(57.14)
 Others2613(50.00)13(50.00)
Activity of daily living0.10
 Free 18185(46.96)96(53.04)
 Somewhat limited 249143(57.43)106(42.57)
 Bed rest (≥50% of each day) 15783(52.87)74(47.13)
Education (years) 0.02
 02312(52.17)11(47.83)
 −920199(49.25)102(50.75)
 −1217985(47.49)94(52.51)
 ≥13 184115(62.50)69(37.50)
Practicing religion0.12
 No 496256(51.61)240(48.39)
 Yes 9155(60.44)36(39.56)
Annual income (RMB)0.00
 −24000378183(48.41)195(51.59)
 −60000167104(62.28)63(37.72)
 −1200003221(65.63)11(34.38)
 >120000103(30.00)7(70.00)
Previous history of CHM use0.00
 No29883(27.85)215(72.15)
 Yes 289228(78.89)61(21.11)
Staging0.00
 Early stage305176(57.70)129(42.30)
 Advanced stage282135(47.87)147(52.13)
Duration of cancer since diagnosis (months)0.00
 −6339140(41.30)199(58.70)
 −2416199(61.49)62(38.51)
 −605748(84.21)9(15.79)
 >603024(80.00)6(20.00)