PREVALENCE OF USING COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, SIDE EFFECTS, ASSOCIATED FACTORS, AND SLEEP QUALITY AMONG PEDIATRICS INPATIENT SETTINGS

Sleep disorders is an important disorder in children. with limited medications for
its along with unavoidable side effects. Due to well accept their efficacy by parents and low side effects
of complementary and herbal medicine, there is an increasing tendency to use them to control sleep
disorders. Few studies have investigated the relationship between sleep quality and herbal medicine use,
so we aimed to investigate the prevalence of herbal medication, supplements, possible side effects, and
its relationship with children's sleep quality.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 282 children aged <10 years who
admitted to the health care center of Qom city. The prevalence of complementary and alternative
medicine, sleep difficulties during the last 6 months were measured. The multiple logistic regression
was used to estimate the association between complementary and alternative medicine use and sleep
quality.
Results: The prevalence of herbal, vitamins, and mineral usage was estimated 30.7%, 45.7%, and 41%,
respectively. The major indications for herbal, vitamins, and mineral use were cold (39.5%),
strengthening and providing energy (51.5%), and prevention of anemia (67%). Age and parental
education were significantly associated with vitamin usage. In addition, positive association were
estimated between sleep quality and herbal (95% CI for OR [1.05, 5.8], P=0.032) and mineral (95% CI
for OR [1.22, 5.56], P=0.01)) usage.
Conclusion: The prevalence of complementary and alternative remedies among Iranian children is
higher compared to global usage. Herbal usage indirectly affects the sleep quality of children. The
educational programs related to complementary and alternative medicine among health stuff and parents
is essential in order to improve the children's quality of life as well as well-being.