Table 3 Utilization trend of TCM gynecology clinics and the associations between TCM use and patients’ characteristics

Time periods of follow-up phase, months

 1–6

[Reference]

[Reference]

 7–12

0.92^a (0.88–0.97)

1.17 (1.13–1.22)

 13–18

0.95 (0.90–1.01)

1.18 (1.13–1.24)

 18–24

1.03 (0.97–1.10)

1.25 (1.19–1.31)

 25–30

1.03 (0.97–1.10)

1.24 (1.18–1.3)

 31–36

1.11 (1.04–1.17)

1.29 (1.22–1.35)

 37–42

1.12 (1.06–1.19)

1.29 (1.22–1.36)

 43–48

1.22 (1.16–1.30)

1.40 (1.34–1.48)

 49–54

1.24 (1.17–1.32)

1.41 (1.34–1.48)

 55–60

1.23 (1.15–1.30)

1.39 (1.32–1.47)

Patients’ characteristics

 Age

  15–39

[Reference]

[Reference]

  40–50

0.91 (0.86–0.96)

0.93 (0.87–0.98)

Residence

 Rural

[Reference]

[Reference]

 Urban

1.06 (1.01–1.11)

1.02 (0.97–1.07)

Insurance premium, NT$

 Fixed premium and dependents

[Reference]

[Reference]

  < 20,000

1.10 (1.03–1.17)

1.04 (0.96–1.11)

 20,000–39 999

1.24 (1.15–1.32)

1.13 (1.05–1.22)

  ≥ 40,000

1.37 (1.27–1.48)

1.24 (1.14–1.35)

 Health prevention practices^b, Yes vs. No

0.81 (0.78–0.84)

0.84 (0.80–0.88)

 Infertility, Yes vs. No

1.28 (1.15–1.43)

1.49 (1.33–1.67)

 Baby delivery, Yes vs. No

0.32 (0.28–0.36)

0.16 (0.13–0.19)

 Ob/Gyn^c inpatient, Yes vs. No

0.62 (0.54–0.72)

1.16 (1.01–1.33)

 Western medicine utilization

0.44 (0.42–0.46)

0.45 (0.43–0.47)