@article {George:December 2006:0884-8734:1317, author = "George, Maureen", author = "Birck, Kathleen", author = "Hufford, David J.", author = "Jemmott, Loretta Sweet", author = "Weaver, Terri E.", title = "Beliefs About Asthma and Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Low-Income Inner-City African-American Adults", journal = "Journal of General Internal Medicine", volume = "21", year = "December 2006", abstract = "BACKGROUND:

The gap in asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality is increasing in low-income racial/ethnic minority groups as compared with Caucasians. In order to address these disparities, alternative beliefs and behaviors need to be identified. OBJECTIVE:

To identify causal models of asthma and the context of conventional prescription versus complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in low-income African-American (AA) adults with severe asthma. DESIGN:

Qualitative analysis of 28 in-depth interviews. PARTICIPANTS:

Twenty-six women and 2 men, aged 21 to 48, who self-identified as being AA, low-income, and an inner-city resident. APPROACH:

Transcripts of semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were inductively analyzed using the constant comparison approach. RESULTS:

Sixty-four percent of participants held biologically correct causal models of asthma although 100% reported the use of at least 1 CAM for asthma. Biologically based therapies, humoral balance, and prayer were the most popular CAM. While most subjects trusted prescription asthma medicine, there was a preference for integration of CAM with conventional asthma treatment. Complementary and alternative medicine was considered natural, effective, and potentially curative. Sixty-three percent of participants reported nonadherence to conventional therapies in the 2 weeks before the research interview. Neither CAM nor nonmedical causal models altered most individuals (93%) willingness to use prescription medication. Three possibly dangerous CAM were identified. CONCLUSIONS:

Clinicians should be aware of patient-generated causal models of asthma and use of CAM in this population. Discussing patients' desire for an integrated approach to asthma management and involving social networks are 2 strategies that may enhance patient-provider partnerships and treatment fidelity.", pages = "1317-1324(8)", url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jgi/2006/00000021/00000012/art00023" doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00624.x" }