Complementary and alternative medicine use among children with mental health issues: results from the National Health Interview Survey

Abstract Background Mental health issues in children have become a serious public health concern in the U.S. within the past few decades. Emerging evidence suggests that Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) can be beneficial for various mental health issues. However, little is known about the prevalence, reasons, and associated factors of CAM use among this population in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of CAM use among U.S. children with mental health issues. Methods Utilizing the 2012 National Health Interview Survey data, we used descriptive analysis, Wald F-statistics, and multivariable survey logistic regression models to examine the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors of CAM use in children aged 4–17 (n = 10,233) adjusting for the complex sampling design. Results CAM use is more popular among children with mental health issues compared with those without (19.2% vs. 10.1%, p