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The use of complementary and alternative medicine in Iceland: Results from a national health survey

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased in Western societies in recent years. In a national health survey conducted in 2006 in Iceland, 31.8% of the population had used CAM in the past 12 months; however, the trend of CAM use since then is unknown. This study’s aim was to describe participants’ use of CAM providers in Iceland in 2015 and compare it to the results of the previous survey. The current study explored the relationship between the participants’ use of CAM and their background, religiosity, healthcare attitudes, mental and physical health, and physician visits. Methods: The study was based on a national health survey conducted in the Spring of 2015. The questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of Icelandic adults, aged 18–75. Altogether 1599 respondents returned valid questionnaires (response rate 58%). The standardized questions were developed and tested in previous health surveys. Results: Nearly 40% of respondents had used CAM in the past 12 months. This is an estimated 8.4% increase since 2006. Women and people with more education were more likely than other participants to use CAM. Repeated physician visits were related to increased likelihood of CAM use. Individuals with high anxiety were more likely than others to use CAM. Conclusions: Icelanders use CAM providers to a considerable degree, and CAM use has increased in recent years. Most CAM users appear to use CAM to complement care received in the general health system.