Towards a comprehensive natural health products and medicines census for New Zealand

Background: In New Zealand (NZ), TCAM is widely available; however, recent, comprehensive, nationally representative data on TCAM use are lacking. Aim: To explore the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive medicines census that collects data on the use of TCAM, including natural health products (NHPs), TCAM practices/therapies, and conventional medicines, to provide a unique resource to explore the prevalence and patterns of TCAM use in NZ. Methods: A web-based self-administered questionnaire (All-MedsNZ) was developed, reviewed by an expert panel, and then tested using web-based cognitive interviewing followed by online interviews. The questionnaire was subsequently revised and piloted with two national adult samples recruited using different sampling methods: online market research and electoral roll. A market research company was contracted to distribute the study invitation to its panel members. A random sample of 5000 individuals stratified by age group, Māori descent and geographic location was selected from the list of NZ voters and sent the study invitation. Findings: The questionnaire testing study found the All-MedsNZ to collect data as intended. No major design-, method- or questionnaire-related problems were identified. Some minor issues related to question phrasing, terminology, and difficulties recalling product/practitioner consultation costs were noted, and the questionnaire was revised. Generally, most of the data collected from the pilot study were sufficiently complete and were of acceptable quality for analysis. Data quality was poorer for specific-level analyses where individual product/practitioner entries need to be reviewed, partly because specific data on NHPs (e.g., ingredients, cost) were missing, incomplete and/or inaccurate. Similar respondent profiles, comparable to the NZ Census 2018 using both sampling methods, were achieved. Across time frames (lifetime, previous 12 months and current), the prevalence of use of NHPs was >38%, and of consultations with TCAM practitioners, >9%. Most current NHP users use conventional medicines concurrently. NHPconventional medicine combinations that potentially result in adverse drug reactions were identified from the pilot study dataset. Conclusion: The All-MedsNZ questionnaire had good acceptability, is robust and suitable for use in the NZ context. Preliminary data indicate substantial TCAM use in NZ, warranting systematic and continuous monitoring in NZ to explore trends and safeguard public health and safety.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Pharmacy

Grantor dc:publisher

ResearchSpace@Auckland

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Lee, E Lyn

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Barnes, Joanne
• Harrison, Jeff

Statement dc:rights

• Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2292/67252

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchspace.auckland.ac.nz:2292/67252