Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine by Foreign Workers in Taiwan
Author Information
Author(s): Daly Maria, Tai Chen-Jei, Deng Chung-Yeh, Chien Li-Yin
Primary Institution: National Yang-Ming University
Hypothesis
What factors influence the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among non-Asian white-collar workers in Taiwan?
Conclusion
Non-Asian white-collar workers in Taiwan are more likely to use TCM if they have language skills, access to information, and support from friends or family.
Supporting Evidence
- 45% of participants reported using TCM therapies.
- The most common TCM therapies used were traditional Chinese herbs and acupuncture.
- Participants with access to information about TCM services were more likely to use TCM.
Takeaway
This study found that many foreign workers in Taiwan use traditional Chinese medicine, especially if they can read Chinese and have friends to help them.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 207 white-collar foreign workers living in Taiwan for at least 4 months.
Potential Biases
Privacy laws limited the ability to obtain a random sampling frame, which may introduce selection bias.
Limitations
The study did not use random sampling and the population may be healthier than the general population due to health check requirements for work permits.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly male (74%), with a mean age of 35.6 years, and included individuals from Europe (43.5%) and North America (37.2%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.006
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.33–7.40
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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