using the theory of planned behaviour to explain use of traditional chinese medicine
among hong kong chinese in britain
tina l rochelle1; steven m shardlow2; sik hung ng3
1city university of hong kong; 2university of keele; 3renmin university of china
evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, vol. 2015,
doi:10.1155/2015/564648
research background
the number of chinese immigrants in britain has
increased to about 500,000. most of them live in big
cities such as london and manchester, where
traditional chinese medicine (tcm) provisions are
becoming more available alongside western
medicine. little is known of the health-seeking
behaviour of chinese immigrants especially in
relation to tcm, and how the use of tcm may
impact on their use or under-use of western
medicine.
research purpose
the present study aimed to examine the utilisation
of tcm among chinese immigrants in the uk
from hong kong, using the theory of planned
behaviour (tpb). specifically, the study examined
predictors of tcm utilisation and satisfaction with
tcm services.
method
a cross-sectional survey approach was adopted. the
survey questionnaire measured the following
domains: cultural attachment; tpb constructs of
attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural
control relating to the use of tcm; sf-12 health
survey. a total of 272 hong kong chinese
individuals aged between 15 and 91 years (m =
46.55; sd = 18.53) enrolled in the study. length of
residence in the uk ranged from 1-58 years
(m=21.35; sd=15.14).
results
in terms of self-rated health, 40% of respondents
rated their health as acceptable, relative to their
age, while a further 36% of respondents rated their
health as good.
• seventy-sex percent of respondents had
experience of using western health services in
britain.
• a quarter of respondents reported experience of
using tcm in britain, with 14% having consulted
a tcm practitioner within the last six months.
• findings revealed that tcm utilisation was
associated with the subjective norm domain of
tpb, but not with the attitude or perceived
behavioural control domain.
• significantly, tcm users were more likely to be
female, older and have a strong sense of
attachment to chinese culture.
• satisfaction with using tcm was positively
associated with women, older age, and attachment
to chinese culture.
conclusion
findings highlight the potentials as well as
limitations of the tpb in understanding healthseeking
behaviours, with particular reference to tcm
utilisation and satisfaction, whilst also throwing light
on the influence of a strong attachment to chinese
culture, older age and being a woman.