Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Inpatient Pediatric Under One Year of Age in Baghdad City-Iraq

Background: Complementary & alternative medicine popular in Iraq, its use from many age group but shortage of data is available about uses of traditional medicine in pediatric. Material and methods: The aim of this study to measure the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine CAM (one type of CAM called saqua) use in acutely sick children (complaining from gastro intestinal symptom) and factors associated with it. This is a cross-sectional study, hospital-based study in a tertiary center of Baghdad CityIraq from the first January 2018 to January 2019. Children were assessed using a specially designed questionnaire, interview with one of child’s family almost the mother or grandmother, face to face interview. Data were analyzed using SPSS (statistical software version 20), Chi-square test for association between using CAM and not using. P-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the total 415 admitted children one year’s olds or less complaining from gastro intestinal symptom, 36 (8.6%) were using complementary and alternate medicine. The age distribution of the children using CAM less than first year, children were using CAM, age group less than one month 11 (30.6%), 1 to 6 months 22 (61.1%) and from 6 months to 1 year 3 (8.3%), male 22 (61.1%), female 14 (38.9), about region urban 23 (63.9%) and rural 13 (36.1%), parent with low education state. During period of hospitalization, observation and follow up was done, complication more in the children who use CAM (saqua), 9 (25%) out of 36 using saqua complaining from complication compare with non-using 12(3. 2%). Deaths increasing in the children which using saqua 21 (58.3%) compare with non-using 8 (2.11%). Conclusion: The usage of CAM concerning on value and believes, in this study was founded Complication more in children using CAM camper not using CAM (saqua), also number of death more in pediatric using CAM (saqua), so need awareness about it and more study about (saqua) one type of CAM.