Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used especially in Asia including for childhood asthma. The use of CAM could influence adherence to evidence-based (E-B) medicine. We explored the views of carers of Malaysian children with asthma regarding the use of CAM for childhood asthma, and its relationship with self-reported adherence to E-B medicine. We used a screening questionnaire to identify children diagnosed with asthma from seven suburban primary schools in Malaysia. Informed consent was obtained prior to the interviews. We conducted the interviews using a semi-structured topic guide in participants' preferred language (Malay, Mandarin, or Tamil). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using Nvivo. Analysis was performed thematically, informed by the Necessity-Concerns Framework. A total of 46 carers (16 Malays, 21 Indians, 9 Chinese) contributed to 12 focus groups and one individual interview. We categorised participants' as 'Non-CAM'; 'CAM'; or 'combination' user. Cultural practices and beliefs in the efficacy of CAM resulted in widespread use of CAM. Most carers used CAM as 'complementary' to E-B medicine. Concerns about dependence on or side effects of E-B treatment influenced carers' decisions to rely on CAM as an 'alternative', with an important minority of accounts describing potentially harmful CAM-use. Healthcare professionals should discuss beliefs about the necessity for and concerns about use of both E-B medicine and CAM, and provide balanced information about effectiveness and safety. The aim is to improve adherence to regular E-B preventer medication and prevent delays in seeking medical advice and harmful practices associated with CAM.

中文翻译：

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马来西亚儿童对补充/替代药物使用的认知以及对循证哮喘药物依从性的影响。

补充和替代医学（CAM）广泛用于尤其是亚洲，包括儿童哮喘。CAM的使用可能会影响对循证医学的依从性。我们探讨了马来西亚哮喘患儿的护理者关于将CAM用于儿童哮喘的观点，以及其与自我报告的依从性EB药物依从性的关系。我们使用了一项筛选问卷，以识别马来西亚7所郊区小学诊断为哮喘的儿童。采访前已获得知情同意。我们使用参与者偏爱的语言（马来语，华语或泰米尔语）使用半结构化的主题指南进行了访谈。所有采访都进行了录音，逐字记录并使用Nvivo进行了编码。在“必要性关注框架”的指导下，主题化地进行了分析。总共46位护理人员（16位马来人，21位印度人，9位华人）参与了12个焦点小组和一次个人访谈。我们将参与者分类为“非CAM”；'CAM'; 或“组合”用户。文化实践和对CAM功效的信念导致了CAM的广泛使用。大多数护理人员将CAM用作EB药物的“补充”。对依赖EB治疗的依赖性或副作用的担忧影响了护理人员决定将CAM作为“替代方案”的决定，其中极少数的陈述描述了可能有害的CAM使用。医疗保健专业人员应讨论有关使用EB药物和CAM的必要性和疑虑，并提供有关有效性和安全性的平衡信息。