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Homeopathy 2017; 106(02): 69-78
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2017.03.002
Review
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2017

Prevalence of homeopathy use by the general population worldwide: a systematic review

Clare Relton
,
Katy Cooper
,
Petter Viksveen
,
Philippa Fibert
,
Kate Thomas
Further Information

Publication History

Received01 August 2016
revised23 February 2017

accepted09 March 2017

Publication Date:
28 December 2017 (online)

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Aim: To systematically review surveys of 12-month prevalence of homeopathy use by the general population worldwide.

Methods: Studies were identified via database searches to October 2015. Study quality was assessed using a six-item tool. All estimates were in the context of a survey which also reported prevalence of any complementary and alternative medicine use.

Results: A total of 36 surveys were included. Of these, 67% met four of six quality criteria.

Twelve-month prevalence of treatment by a homeopath was reported in 24 surveys of adults (median 1.5%, range 0.2–8.2%). Estimates for children were similar to those for adults. Rates in the USA, UK, Australia and Canada all ranged from 0.2% to 2.9% and remained stable over the years surveyed (1986–2012).

Twelve-month prevalence of all use of homeopathy (purchase of over-the-counter homeopathic medicines and treatment by a homeopath) was reported in 10 surveys of adults (median 3.9%, range 0.7–9.8%) while a further 11 surveys which did not define the type of homeopathy use reported similar data. Rates in the USA and Australia ranged from 1.7% to 4.4% and remained stable over the years surveyed. The highest use was reported by a survey in Switzerland where homeopathy is covered by mandatory health insurance.

Conclusions: This review summarises 12-month prevalence of homeopathy use from surveys conducted in eleven countries (USA, UK, Australia, Israel, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, South Korea, Japan and Singapore). Each year a small but significant percentage of these general populations use homeopathy. This includes visits to homeopaths as well as purchase of over-the-counter homeopathic medicines.

Keywords

Systematic review - Prevalence - Homeopathy - Treatment by homeopaths - Homeopathic medicines - Over-the-counter medicines - Worldwide