Table 2 Reasons for non-use of complementary therapies

• Concern about lack of scientific evidence that complementary therapies work

• A strong belief in the value of "scientific medicine"

• Conventional medicine works for asthma: "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

• No belief in complementary therapies: "old wives' tales", "myth", "superstition"

• Strong trust in doctors: "the doctor knows best"

• Lack of awareness of or interest in complementary therapies

• No perceived need: "my asthma's not that severe"

• No complementary therapy use within personal social networks

• Financial cost of private complementary therapies

• Uncertainty about quality and safety of over-the-counter complementary treatments