The Prevalence of Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Infertile Patients: A global Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis up to March 2023

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.

2 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22074/ijfs.2024.2005352.1482

Abstract

Introduction: using of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by infertile patients has significantly increased over the past decades. So, the current study aimed to assess the prevalence of CAM use among infertile patients.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted based on the preferred reported items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Required data were obtained by searching some English databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and other records identified through Google. The inclusion criteria were cross-sectional studies published in English journals up to March 2023, examining the prevalence of CAM use among infertile patients in different countries. The retrieved articles were independently assessed by two reviewers, and any discrepancy was resolved through discussion until a consensus was reached.

Results: Of 1192 documents reviewed, a total of 29 studies were included in this review. The results of the meta-analysis conducted on 32804 infertile patients showed that the prevalence rate of CAM use was between 26.3% (95% CI 21.7 to 31.3%) and 96.1% (95% CI 95.7 to 96.5%) in various countries. The pooled prevalence rate was calculated using the random effects model. It was 54% (95% CI 46 to 61%) overall infertile women and men, 55% (95% CI 47 to 67%), and 29% (95% CI 17 to 41%) among infertile women and men separately.

Conclusion: More than half of the infertile patients used CAM. Healthcare practitioners need to be aware of this practice to better provide care. Further studies are needed to examine the reasons for using CAM by infertile patients.

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Main Subjects

International Journal of Fertility and Sterility

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 February 2024

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