Differences between Male and Female Consumers of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in a National US Population: A Secondary Analysis of 2012 NIHS Data
Table 3
Comparison of the reasons, motivations, and outcomes for using the first top CAM therapy by gender ( = 10,181).
Perceived benefits
Male ( = 3,880)%
Female ()%
value
Reasons
For general wellness or general disease prevention
62.2
66.8
<0.001
To improve energy
28.4
38.5
<0.001
To improve immune function
23.2
28.4
<0.001
To improve athletic or sports performance
23.7
18.3
<0.001
To improve memory or concentration
16.0
18.2
0.024
Motivations
To eat healthier
20.2
27.3
<0.001
To eat more organic foods
11.9
14.2
0.009
To cut back on or stop drinking alcohol ( = 7,082)1
7.0
7.1
0.873
To cut back on or stop smoking cigarettes ( = 1,509)2
13.3
15.1
0.427
To exercise more regularly
22.8
30.0
<0.001
Outcome
<0.001
Gave a sense of control over one’s health
36.8
43.8
<0.001
Reduced stress level or relaxation
41.9
54.5
<0.001
Better sleep
36.1
43.4
<0.001
Feeling better emotionally
33.6
45.2
<0.001
Made it easier to cope with health problems
32.5
37.5
<0.001
Improved overall health and feeling better
67.3
71.1
0.001
Improved relationship with others
20.1
22.6
0.024
Improved attendance at job or school ( = 7514)3
16.2
16.8
0.562
How much the first therapy helped with the most important reasons for CAM use ( = 9,110)4
<0.001
A great deal
37.2
45.2
Some
44.0
41.8
Only a little
15.3
10.5
Not at all
3.6
2.5
Used first of top three therapies for specific health problems
43.0
42.9
0.924
How much the first therapy helped with specific health problems ( = 4,353)4
<0.001
A great deal
47.5
56.0
Some
36.5
31.6
Only a little
11.7
9.1
Not at all
4.3
3.4
Sample adults 18+ who have used first of top three modalities and who have consumed alcohol in the past 12 months.
2Sample adults 18+ who have used first of top three modalities and who currently smoke every day or some days.
3Sample adults 18+ who have used first of top three modalities and who worked or attended school in the past year.
4Sample adults 18+ who have used first of top three modalities and two or more reasons for seeing a practitioner/using modality chosen.
