PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Yasuharu Tokuda
AU  - Osamu Takahashi
AU  - Sachiko Ohde
AU  - Hiromitsu Ogata
AU  - Haruo Yanai
AU  - Takuro Shimbo
AU  - Shunichi Fukuhara
AU  - Shigeaki Hinohara
AU  - Tsuguya Fukui
TI  - Health locus of control and use of conventional and alternative care: a cohort study
DP  - 2007 Aug 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 643--649
VI  - 57
IP  - 541
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/57/541/643.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/57/541/643.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2007 Aug 01; 57
AB  - Background Health locus of control influences health-related behaviour, but its association with healthcare use is unclear.Aim To investigate the association between individuals' health locus of control and the use of conventional and alternative health care.Design of study Prospective cohort study.Setting A nationally representative random sample of community-dwelling adult households in Japan.Method Health locus of control, symptom-related visits to physicians, and the use of dietary and physical complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was measured. Dietary CAM included supplements, such as herbs and vitamins. Physical CAM included manipulations, such as acupuncture and acupressure.Results Of the 2453 adult participants studied, 2103 (86%; 95% CI [confidence interval] = 84 to 88%) developed at least one symptom during the 31-day study period. Of these symptomatic adults, 639 visited physicians (30%; 95% CI = 28 to 32%), 480 used dietary CAM (23%; 95% CI = 21 to 25%), and 156 (7%; 95% CI = 6 to 9%) used physical CAM. The likelihood of visiting a physician was not related significantly to individuals' health locus of control. Increased use of dietary CAM was weakly associated with control by spiritual powers (P = 0.028), internal control (P = 0.013), and less control by professionals (P = 0.020). Increased use of physical CAM was significantly associated with control by spiritual powers (P = 0.009) indicating a belief that supernatural forces control individuals' health status.Conclusion The likelihood of visiting a physician is not affected by individuals' health locus of control. Control by spiritual powers is involved with increased CAM use. Internal control is weakly associated with greater use of dietary CAM; professional control is weakly associated with less use of dietary CAM.