Use and awareness of herbal medicines among literate population

Mahish, Pramod Kumar; Mahobia, Raju; Yadav, Jitendra Singh

doi:10.22376/ijpbs.2016.7.4.p174-178

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Data were collected online using Google Forms. The survey was modified in accordance with a previously published survey ( Al Akeel et al, 2018 , Awad and Al-Shaye, 2014 , Mahish et al, 2016 ). The format and content of the questionnaire were validated by four experts’ assistant professors of molecular and medical immunology, family and pain medicine, preventive medicine and public health, and clinical nutrition.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most people believe this information and start using the recommended herbs and natural products without any knowledge or awareness of their side effects, thinking that these will protect them from infection. Studies report that natural remedies can help maintain and/or promote individuals' health status, if taken correctly, but cannot prevent infections or cure diseases ( Al Akeel et al, 2018 , Ang et al, 2020 , Lissiman et al, 2014 , Mahish et al, 2016 ). The pathophysiologic mechanisms of COVID-19 are not yet well understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of using herbs and natural products as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi population: an online cross-sectional survey

Alotiby

Al-Harbi

2021

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

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Considering that no food or supplement has been authorised to prevent COVID-19, individuals continue to search for and consume specific herbs, foods and commercial supplements for this purpose. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of using such alternatives, determine their usage reasons and evaluate their potential side effects. An online cross-sectional survey of 1,054 participants was conducted from 1 May to 31 July 2020 and focused on respondents’ chronic disease histories, socio-demographic characteristics and frequency and trends of using these products. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed to determine prevalence and associations between various products used and respondents’ socio-demographic data. Relationships were tested using Pearson’s chi-square test or an exact probability test. The use of herbs and natural products merely because of the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly increased (p=0.036) among Saudi populations. The products included honey (84%), black seeds (63%), lemon (54%) and ginger (41%). Furthermore, the distribution of using herbs and natural products was not linked with any socio-demographic factors other than age. Among the population, 69.30% were aware that herbs can improve their immunity but will not protect them from COVID-19. Finally, the current study highlights the undesirable side effects associated with using herbs and natural products in patients with chronic disease and recommends future research to assess the undesirable effects of using herbs in patients with diabetes with a control group.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of using herbs and natural products as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi population: an online cross-sectional survey

Alotiby

Al-Harbi

2021

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

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“…9 Without the proper understanding or awareness, most populations can be easily misled by this misinformation, which is unfortunate because studies have shown that natural remedies can help promote or maintain good individual health if taken properly but they cannot cure the disease or prevent infection. 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 Furthermore, misinformation might also reduce the validity of new scientific discoveries regarding the treatment or vaccination of this disease. 12…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Media on Public Health Awareness Concerning the Use of Natural Remedies Against the COVID-19 Outbreak in Saudi Arabia

Alotiby¹

2021

IJGM

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Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major health system problems and has fueled the emergence of various misinformation regarding preventive measures. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of media on raising the level of health awareness of Saudi Arabian populations regarding the medical misinformation about the use of natural remedies against COVID-19. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted anonymously in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between May 1st and June 30, 2020. The sample size was calculated using version-3.0 of OpenEpi. An 11-item questionnaire was designed to assess the effect of media on raising the level of health awareness of the population regarding the medical misinformation about the use of natural remedies during this pandemic. Results Among 1300 participants, nearly half (55.4%) reported having watched the Saudi Ministry of Health’s (MOH) broadcasted awareness videos. Social media (78.9%) was the main media platform on which they accessed these videos, followed by television (14.9%), and the Internet (6.2%). The MOH’s awareness videos had a positive effect on 69.5% of participants, who reported a change in their attitudes toward natural remedies and discontinuing the use of them as preventive medicine. The most discontinued natural remedies after watching the awareness videos were gargling with salt water (32.1%), followed by myrrh (17.6%), and garlic (12.9%). Positive effects were greater among participants with a low than high education level. Conclusion The findings of the current study indicate that the Saudi MOH’s usage of social media channels has had a positive effect on the level of public health awareness concerning the reliability of natural remedies used during the pandemic. However, more research is needed to validate how social media networks can be used in a cross-cultural context to enhance health awareness and adaptation to healthy behaviors.

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“…One of the more commonly observed items of misinformation was based on the herbal properties of garlic and onions. Some studies support the idea that food with herbal properties can help improve the body’s immune system if taken over a long time, with regular consistency and supplemented by a good and healthy lifestyle [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. As of yet, there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that herbal properties can cure the infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 or that the consumption of garlic and onions can immediately boost the immune system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first was that coronavirus remains in the throat for a day or two and can be gargled away with hot, salty water [ 14 ], and the second was that the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine for tuberculosis or the seasonal flu shot can protect against COVID-19 infections [ 15 , 16 ]. It has been posited that attitudes toward medical misinformation and rumours could be independent of an individual’s level of education when it comes to the use of herbal medicine [ 13 ]. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no previous studies that compare the attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) to those of non-healthcare workers (NHCWs) regarding medical misinformation and herbal medicine.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes towards COVID-19-Related Medical Misinformation among Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia during the Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Alotiby

Al-Harbi

2021

IJERPH

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Since the SARS-CoV-2 virus caused a global pandemic, the amount of misinformation in various media outlets has been on the rise. This has caused confusion among both healthcare workers and the general population about what the proper precautions against COVID-19 are. This study investigated attitudes towards misinformation related to protective measures that can be taken against COVID-19. The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using an online survey questionnaire during the first three months of lockdown responding to the pandemic. The sample size of the study was N = 1294, of which 275 were healthcare workers and 974 were non-healthcare workers. The findings indicate that the Saudi Arabian population has a “Neutral” attitude towards COVID-19-related misinformation, meaning that, overall, they neither agree nor disagree with the most common COVID-19-related misinformation. Both healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers displayed a “Neutral” attitude towards herbal remedies for COVID-19. The level of agreement regarding the SARS-CoV-2 virus remaining in the throat for two days and the BCG vaccine protecting against COVID-19 was low. The findings of this research imply that knowledge dissemination is severely lacking in Saudi Arabia and that the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia should sincerely consider educating healthcare workers better about verified and true information regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: Future research should include larger sample sizes for each of the healthcare specialties surveyed in this study and analyse their attitudes towards COVID-19 misinformation.

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Use and awareness of herbal medicines among literate population

Cited by 7 publications

References 10 publications

Prevalence of using herbs and natural products as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi population: an online cross-sectional survey

Prevalence of using herbs and natural products as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi population: an online cross-sectional survey

The Impact of Media on Public Health Awareness Concerning the Use of Natural Remedies Against the COVID-19 Outbreak in Saudi Arabia

Attitudes towards COVID-19-Related Medical Misinformation among Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia during the Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

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