Prevalence, determinants and knowledge about herbal medicine and non-hospital utilisation in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Factors influencing the utilization, and perceived benefits of complementary and alternative medicine in the management of common childhood diseases among residents of Makun community, Sagamu, Ogun State Nigeria

PURPOSE

The utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been on the rise, despite the expansion of conventional medicine across populations. The choice and utilization of CAM are informed by individuals' health-care-seeking behavior and the derived benefits. This study examined the factors responsible for the choice and utilization of CAM in the management of common childhood diseases among residents of Makun community, Sagamu, Ogun state Nigeria.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional design was adapted for this study, using an interview-administered questionnaire to elicit data on respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, utilization, and factors influencing the utilization of CAM and perceived effects and satisfaction. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 332 respondents comprising 129 males and 203 females. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and presented using tables, percentages, and frequencies.

RESULT

The findings revealed the following as the most influencing factors for the choice and utilization of CAM: Effectiveness (75.9 %), affordability (82.9 %), accessibility (81.7 %), and tolerance for children (44.6 %). CAM therapies that are always utilized in the management of common childhood diseases include herbal medicine (36.7 %), natural supplements (21.4 %), dietary therapy (13.3 %), and chiropractic (10.2 %). Perceived benefits include satisfaction (71.1 %), effectiveness (45.8 %), safety (37.3 %), and minimal side effects (46.7 %).

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that despite the popularity of conventional or orthodox medicine in Nigeria, there is still a significant percentage of the population who actively utilize complementary and alternative medicine therapies in the management of common childhood diseases. CAM therapies are mostly used in communities as either primary or adjunct therapy, due to high perceived safety and effectiveness.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

It is pertinent for Nurses to be aware of the knowledge of CAM and It is pertinent for Nurses to be aware of the growing popularity and utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in managing common childhood diseases. Nurses need to develop solid strategies to ensure there is an open conversation regarding CAM use by clients towards improving the care of communities and mitigating the uncontrolled utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in the care of children.

Are urban residents seeking appropriate care for malaria? evidence from an exploratory qualitative study in two cities in nigeria

BACKGROUND

Unplanned and rapid urbanization within Nigerian cities with the attendant environmental consequences may hinder achieving malaria elimination goal. Presently, there are limited qualitative studies on malaria case management and care-seeking patterns by settlement type in urban areas in Nigeria. This study, investigated malaria-related health seeking behaviours among different settlement types in Ibadan and Kano metropolises, Nigeria.

METHODS

This qualitative study involved conduct of nine Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) sessions among community members and 20 Key Informant interviews (KIIs) with healthcare providers and community stakeholders in each metropolis. Participants were purposively drawn from three settlement types - formal, informal and urban slum. Pretested FGD and KII guides were used to collect data. Data were subjected to thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Government-owned health facilities especially Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities was a major place identified as where many community members prefer to seek care for suspected malaria infection. Reasons adduced included proximity of facilities and services affordability. A common viewpoint was that most community members in informal and slum communities in both metropolises often patronize Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) or drug sellers as the first point for treatment of suspected malaria infection. Adduced reasons included poverty and non-availability of 24 h services in PHC facilities. High cost of treatment, poor attitude of health workers, long waiting time and cultural beliefs were identified as key factors influencing community members' decision not to seek care in health facilities. It was noted that the rich prefer to seek treatment in private hospitals, while the poor usually visit PHCs or resort to other options like buying drugs from PPMVs or use herbal drugs.

CONCLUSION

The standard practice of seeking care in health facilities was influenced by diverse factors including treatment cost, health workers' attitude and waiting time in health facilities. A commoner practice of seeking care from patent medicine vendors and herbal drug sellers among informal settlements and slums dwellers calls for public health interventions. Specifically, the provision of free or affordable malaria care in health facilities and patient-friendly environments; and training of non-formal care providers on appropriate malaria care and referral to health facilities are recommended.

The prevalence of herbal medicine among Sudanese adults: a cross-sectional study 2021

BACKGROUND

The use of herbal medicine has a long history in Sudan and is widely practiced among the general population. However, there is a lack of studies examining the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of herbal medicine usage in Sudan. Thus, this study was conducted to bridge this gap.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2021. It included Sudanese adults residing in Omdurman, Sudan, using systematic and simple random sampling methods. Data were collected using a structured, adapted questionnaire comprising: the socio-demographic characteristics and the knowledge of herbal medicine and its usage. Moreover, it investigated the commonly used herbal remedies and the participants' sources of information and procurement of such products. Additionally, we examined the correlation between socio-demographic factors, cultural beliefs, and the use of herbal medicine. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Associations were assessed using chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and binary logistic regression (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

This study included 381 participants, of which 48.1% were females and 31.4% were aged 20-30. The majority of participants were aware of the practice of herbal medicine and the prevalence of its usage was 85.9%. Peppermint, acacia, hibiscus, ginger, and fenugreek were the most commonly used remedies. Chi-square and Fisher's exact testing revealed that the participants' gender and beliefs in the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines were significantly associated with herbal medicine usage (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that only the perception of herbal medicine's safety was an independent predictor of its usage (p-value 0.038).

CONCLUSION

This study reported a very high prevalence of herbal medicine usage, highlighting the acceptability of Sudanese adults towards herbal medicine usage. This prompts further studies to explore their safety, efficacy, and the possibility of their integration into mainstream healthcare practices and policies.

Integrated traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorder: the pattern of use and the knowledge of safety among the Eastern Region Saudi population

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicine is commonly integrated with conventional medicine in Saudi Arabia, especially for the management of digestive disorders. However, the majority of Saudis use herbal remedies without prior consultation with a physician, which raises concerns about their appropriate and safe use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness among the Saudi population regarding the proper utilization and potential adverse effects of frequently used herbs for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from January to March 2021. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was distributed.

RESULTS

A total of 543 participants from different age groups, educational levels, and cities across Saudi Arabia completed the study questionnaire. The most commonly used herbs at home by the participants were: myrrh, parsley, black seed, chamomile, mint, anise, clove, and green tea. 57.7% of the participants perceived herbs as safer than conventional medicines; 27.3% reported that using herbal remedies over conventional medicine was a family tradition, and 21.4% used herbs because they were cheaper than conventional medicines.

CONCLUSION

Herbal remedies, including myrrh, parsley, blackseed, chamomile, mint, and anise, are commonly employed for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Saudi Arabia. However, the knowledge level of participants regarding potential side effects and drug-herb interactions was found to be deficient. As such, there is a pressing need for educational campaigns and community awareness programs to elucidate the proper usage of herbal remedies and to caution against their potential adverse effects.

Contamination of herbal medicinal products in low-and-middle-income countries: A systematic review

The use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) has grown significantly across low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Consequently, the safety of these products due to contamination is a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and levels of contaminants in HMPs from LMICs. A search was performed in seven online databases, i.e., Africa journal online (AJOL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Health Inter-Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI), World Health Organization Global Index Medicus (WHO GIM), Scopus, and PubMed using appropriate search queries and reported as per the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. Ninety-one peer-reviewed articles published from 1982 to 2021 from 28 different countries across four continents were included in the study. Although metals, microbial, mycotoxins, pesticides, and residual solvents were the reported contaminants in the 91 articles, metals (56.0%, 51/91), microbial (27.5%, 25/91), and mycotoxins (18.7%, 17/91) were the most predominant. About 16.4% (1236/7518) of the samples had their contaminant levels above the regulatory limits. Samples tested for microbial contaminants had the highest proportion (46.4%, 482/1039) of contaminants exceeding the regulatory limit, followed by mycotoxins (25.8%, 109/423) and metals (14.3%, 591/4128). The proportion of samples that had their average non-essential metal contaminant levels above the regulatory limit was (57.6%, 377/655), 18.3% (88/480), 10.7% (24/225), and 11.3% (29/257) for Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, respectively. The commonest bacteria species found were Escherichia coli (52.3%, 10/19) and Salmonella species (42.1%, 8/19). This review reported that almost 90% of Candida albicans and more than 80% of moulds exceeded the required regulatory limits. HMP consumption poses profound health implications to consumers and patients. Therefore, designing and/or implementing policies that effectively regulate HMPs to minimize the health hazards related to their consumption while improving the quality of life of persons living in LMICs are urgently needed.

Current Status and Challenges of Pharmacovigilance of Traditional Medicines in French-Speaking West African (UEMOA) Countries

BACKGROUND

West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) countries are characterised by a high prevalence of informal use of medicinal plants and traditional medicines by their population for health care, requiring the establishment of pharmacovigilance, in order to monitor the associated health risks. However, the state of implementation of pharmacovigilance for traditional medicines in UEMOA countries is not known.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the state of implementation of pharmacovigilance for traditional medicines in the eight UEMOA countries, describing the relevant community provisions, assessing the integration of traditional medicines monitoring into national pharmacovigilance systems and identifying related national challenges.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires, conducted between 1 May and 31 August 2022. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to officials responsible for the issue within UEMOA and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). A second online questionnaire was specifically sent to the pharmacovigilance focal points of the eight UEMOA countries. Questionnaires were designed using the WHO indicators for pharmacovigilance. The face-to-face questionnaire collected two types of data, namely community policies and regulations on pharmacovigilance and technical and financial support from sub-regional organisations to countries. The online questionnaire sent to countries collected four categories of data on the study issue: structural data, process data, impact data and data on national challenges.

RESULTS

As a community provision, WAHO has a harmonised regulatory framework for phytovigilance. The monitoring of traditional medicines is not effectively implemented in the pharmacovigilance systems of UEMOA countries. Only two reports of adverse events due to traditional medicines have so far been recorded in the Union. The countries have neither funding nor sufficient human resources for pharmacovigilance in general. Monitoring of traditional medicines in the unregulated market, training of stakeholders, risk communication, and integration of traditional health practitioners in reporting systems are the main challenges of countries for the development of pharmacovigilance for traditional medicines.

CONCLUSION

The effective compliance of WAHO's harmonised phytovigilance regulatory framework by UEMOA countries and addressing the challenges identified by the countries constitute the basis for the development of pharmacovigilance for traditional medicines within UEMOA.

Phytopharmaceutical practices of traditional health practitioners in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Traditional health practitioners constitute an important part of the health care system in Burkina Faso, particularly in the supply of traditional herbal medicines. Quality and safety of these medicines rely heavily on practices employed during their traditional development. However, traditional phytopharmaceutical practices are poorly described in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to describe the phytopharmaceutical practices of traditional medicine practitioners in Burkina Faso.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive ethno-pharmaceutical study, conducted from October 1 to November 30, 2020, among traditional practitioners in four randomly selected health districts: Nongr-Massom (Centre region), Tenkodogo (Centre-East region), Diapaga (East region) and Dafra (Hauts-Bassins region). An anonymous semi-structured face-to-face questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and data on raw materials and finished products.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven (67) traditional health practitioners, aged 56 years on average, including a majority of men (72%), participated in the study. Gathering of wild medicinal plants was the main source of raw materials acquisition (51.5%), which were usually leaves (32.3%). These raw materials were usually sun-dried (43.9%) and packaged mostly in plastic bags (37.2%). They were derived from 60 plant species belonging to 33 botanical families. Fabaceae was the most represented family (18.7%) and Khaya senegalensis Juss. (Meliaceae) the most cited plant species (5.2%). The finished products had an average shelf life of 17 months and were usually prepared as a decoction (31.7%) and administered most often orally (71.4%). Gastrointestinal disorders were the main predictable adverse events of the finished products (54%).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that THPs have important knowledge in the use of medicinal plants, but several shortcomings are observed in their phytopharmaceutical and plant protection practices. Continuous improvement of these practices, through education and training of traditional health practitioners, is essential for the conservation of plant biodiversity and quality assurance of traditional herbal medicines.

Factors Associated with Deworming Medication Utilization among Pregnant Women in Benin: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey

Deworming medication utilization is a useful strategy to reduce the burden of anemia among pregnant women. Yet, we know very little about the prevalence and correlates of deworming medication utilization among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Benin. To address this void in the literature, we used the 2017–2018 Benin Demographic and Health Survey and applied logistic regression analysis to explore the demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors associated with deworming medication utilization in Benin. We found that deworming medication coverage was 65% at the national level. We observed that women aged 35–49 years were less likely to use deworming medication compared to those aged 15–24 years (OR = 0.79, p < 0.01). Compared to Christian women, Muslim women (OR = 0.70, p < 0.01) and women of other religions (OR = 0.51, p < 0.01) were also less likely to use deworming medication. Moreover, women with lower levels of education and household wealth, as well as unemployed women, were less likely to use deworming medication in comparison to their educated, richer, and employed counterparts. Women who visited ANC fewer than eight times were also less likely to use deworming medication compared to their counterparts who did so eight times or more (OR = 0.65, p < 0.001). Based on these findings, we discussed several implications for policymakers.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Traditional and Complimentary Medicine in Oman

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding traditional medicine (TM) in Oman and examine the factors that necessitate its use.

Methods

This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among the general population from November 2019 and March 2020. All Omani nationals above the age of 18 were eligible to be enrolled. The questionnaire consisted of questions on the knowledge, attitudes and use regarding traditional medicine in Oman.

Results

A total of 598 responses to the questionnaire were received (response rate: 85.4%), of which 552 were deemed complete. Most responses were received from males (62.5%) and the sample had a mean age of 33.6 ± 7.7 years. A majority of the respondents (90%) were aware of the different types of TM in Oman; a high percentage (81.5%) felt that it was effective. Most (67.8%) had tried at least one method of TM use. Individuals who were older had tried TM compared to those who had not (34.5 ± 7.8 years versus 31.8 ± 7.2 years; P <0.001); in addition, more males than females (72.2% versus 27.8%; P <0.001) and those with full-time employment than those without had tried TM (84.2% versus 14.2%; P <0.001). Herbal medications (65.8%) and traditional massage (60.4%) were the most common forms of TM practice. Among females, herbal medications (69.2%) and massage (63.5%) are most often used; among males, cupping (65.2%) followed by herbal medications (64.4%) and massage (59.3%) were used more often. Notably, back pain (74.3%) was the most common condition for which TM was reportedly used, with only a small percentage (8.3%) reporting any concomitant side-effects.

Conclusion

There is widespread use of TM among Oman's urban population. An improved understanding of their benefits will facilitate their incorporation into modern health care services.

Hematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of long-term administration of Guiera senegalensis (J.F. Gme), Cassia occidentalis (Linn), and Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam) leaves obtained in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

Introduction: Previously, we established the phytochemical composition and short-term administration safety of Guiera senegalensis (sabara), Cassia occidentalis (coffee senna), and Ziziphus mauritiana (jujube) leaves, which are common medicinal plants in Northern Nigeria. In the current study, heavy metal contents and long-term administration effects of the plants’ leaf extracts on hematological parameters and the kidneys of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. The heavy metals analyzed were copper, lead, cadmium, nickel, and manganese, while the hematological parameters evaluated were packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Methods: Twenty-four mixed-sex rats were distributed into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 was made the control, while groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered 1000 mg kg-1 one of the plants extracts for 90 days. Blood and kidney samples were collected across the groups for hematological and histopathological examinations. Results: The heavy metals were present in the extracts within the World Health Organization’s acceptable limits. The treated rats were anemic compared to the control. However, on average, only the C. occidentalis group showed significant differences (P<0.05) in hematological parameters. Unlike the control, the kidneys of the rats fed with Z. mauritiana and G. senegalensis showed vacuolation of cytoplasm and tubular degeneration, while the C. occidentalis-fed rats had inflammation and dilated Bowman’s capsules. Conclusion: These findings reveal that constant administration of high doses of the extracts for a long time may cause health hazards. People are advised to seek an expert’s advice before using the plants.

Practice of Traditional Medicine and Associated Factors Among Residents in Eastern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction:

Although the Practice of traditional medicine is accorded great importance worldwide, it seems to face a notable challenge. A notable challenge is the lack of a reference standard for determining the appropriate utilization of traditional medicine for patients. There is little evidence about the usual utilized traditional medicine in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess practice of traditional medicine and associated factors among residents in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 20, 2022 to February 20, 2022. About 818 study participants were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 computer software. The association between an outcome variable and independent variables was assessed using binary logistic regression and the strength of association was presented using Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Result

A total of 803 participants were included in the final analysis with a 98.2 % response rate. From the total study participants, 563 (70.1%) [95%CI: 66.8–73.3] had used traditional medicine in the past 6 months. Factors such as being farmer [AOR = 1.06; 95%CI: (1.03–3.7)], having a diploma degree or higher [AOR = 3.2, 95% CI (1.4–7.3)] and having no history of chronic disease [AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: (0.1–0.5)] were significantly associated traditional medicine practice.

Conclusion

The proportion of traditional medicine practice was high. The most commonly utilized traditional medicines were Damakase, Tenadam, Zingibil and Erate. A national health policy should give a great emphasize on rational utilization of traditional medicine.

The effects of beliefs, knowledge, and attitude on herbal medicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in Indonesia

Background: Herbal medicines are gaining a greater degree of popularity as complementary and alternative medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, there is a lack of data concerning the rationale for and factors influencing their use. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based online study involving 1,621 participants was conducted to explore the effects of magical health beliefs, holistic health beliefs, knowledge, and pro- complementary alternative medicine (CAM) attitudes on herbal medicine use in the Indonesian population. Results: Logistic regression findings showed that knowledge about herbal medicines was independently and positively associated with herbal medicine use to a greater extent than herbal medicine non-use (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval; CI = 1.16 to 1.24). The participants who used herbal medicines had a greater magical health belief score than herbal medicine non-users, with AOR = 1.03 and 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.06. Moreover, holistic health beliefs and pro-CAM attitudes were also found to be independently associated with herbal medicine use. Conclusion: These findings alert nurses to assess the roles of magical health beliefs, holistic health belief, knowledge, and attitudes toward herbal medicine use.

The effects of beliefs, knowledge, and attitude on herbal medicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in Indonesia

Background: Herbal medicines are gaining a greater degree of popularity as complementary and alternative medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, there is a lack of data concerning the rationale for and factors influencing their use. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based online study involving 1,621 participants was conducted to explore the effects of magical health beliefs, holistic health beliefs, knowledge, and pro- complementary alternative medicine (CAM) attitudes on herbal medicine use in the Indonesian population. Results: Logistic regression findings showed that knowledge about herbal medicines was independently and positively associated with herbal medicine use to a greater extent than herbal medicine non-use (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval; CI = 1.16 to 1.24). The participants who used herbal medicines had a greater magical health belief score than herbal medicine non-users, with AOR = 1.03 and 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.06. Moreover, holistic health beliefs and pro-CAM attitudes were also found to be independently associated with herbal medicine use. Conclusion: These findings alert nurses to assess the roles of magical health beliefs, holistic health belief, knowledge, and attitudes toward herbal medicine use.

The effects of beliefs, knowledge, and attitude on herbal medicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in Indonesia

Background: Herbal medicines are gaining a greater degree of popularity as complementary and alternative medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, there is a lack of data concerning the rationale for and factors influencing their use. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based online study involving 1,621 participants was conducted to explore the effects of magical health beliefs, holistic health beliefs, knowledge, and pro- complementary alternative medicine (CAM) attitudes on herbal medicine use in the Indonesian population. Results: Logistic regression findings showed that knowledge about herbal medicines was independently and positively associated with herbal medicine use to a greater extent than herbal medicine non-use (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval; CI = 1.16 to 1.24). The participants who used herbal medicines had a greater magical health belief score than herbal medicine non-users, with AOR = 1.03 and 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.06. Moreover, holistic health beliefs and pro-CAM attitudes were also found to be independently associated with herbal medicine use. Conclusion: Magical health beliefs, holistic health belief, knowledge, and attitudes are key factor in determining the herbal medicine use. Our findings offer crucial implications for health policymakers to encourage the use of herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence and socio-economic factors affecting the use of traditional medicine among adults of Katikekile Subcounty, Moroto District, Uganda

Background

In Uganda generally and in rural areas in particular, use of traditional medicine is a common practice, yet there remains lack of evidence on the overall utilization of traditional medicine and there are many aspects that remain unclear.

Objective

To determine the use of traditional medicine and factors associated with this among the adults of Katikekile Subcounty in Moroto district.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative and qualitative methods. Interviews among 323 respondents, and focus group discussions were carried out among village traditional birth attendants, village health team members, and traditional health providers.

Results

Use of traditional medicine among the adults of Katikekile Subcounty was 68%. Usage was more prevalent among older people, and the majority of the adults used traditional medicine often as their first line-treatment for any illness. Herbs used for traditional medicines are usually locally available and free-of-charge. Long distance to health-facility based health care services, and medical fees contributed to the use of traditional medicine.

Conclusion

Use of traditional medicine among adults of Katikekile Subcounty in Moroto in the Karamoja region in Uganda was high, and majority of the adults often used traditional medicine as first line-treatment. Both socioeconomic and health sector factors were associated with use of traditional medicine.

Use of and attitudes towards herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Vietnam

Introduction

Herbal medicine has a long and rich history of practice in Vietnam. The use and attitudes towards herbal medicine, during the COVID-19 pandemic was explored in this study. The aims were to examine (1) the prevalence and indications for herbal medicine use, (2) the factors associated with herbal medicine use, and (3) Vietnamese peoples' attitudes towards herbal medicine.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Vietnamese adults aged 18 years and older, distributed equally across the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of Vietnam, between September and October 2020. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to achieve the study objectives.

Results

Nearly half of the respondents reported using herbal medicine for common illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence was strongly associated with marital status, urbanicity, monthly income, and health status perception. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), honey (Mel), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.) were the most commonly used herbal medicines, mainly for the treatment of sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and fever. Nearly 70% of the participants believed herbal medicines to be safe, to have less side effects than conventional medicines, and to be effective for minor health conditions.

Conclusion

The use of herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic was a common practice among Vietnamese people. These findings may have implications for future medical research in Vietnam, and for policy-makers and those in the pharmaceutical industry with regard to future regulations and product development.

Determinants of Care-Seeking Practices for Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria

Background

Due to the chronic nature of sickle cell disease (SCD), affected individuals may seek help from diverse places thus raising the need to understand their health-seeking behavior (HSB) in order to design an appropriate management policy for them.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the HSB among pediatric SCD patients relative to their non-SCD counterparts attending a tertiary facility in Southwest Nigeria and identified predictors of poor HSB among SCD patients.

Methods

A total of 110 children with SCD were recruited and studied for their HSPs which were compared with 110 non-SCD patients with other chronic medical conditions. Questionnaires were used to obtain self-reported information on participants’ socio-demographic data and HSB. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of poor HSB among the SCD cohort.

Results

More SCD patients received treatments at private hospitals, patent medicine stores and faith-based centers compared to their non-SCD counterparts (p=0.0052; 0.006; and 0.007), respectively. No difference was observed in the patronage of traditional care centres 10 (9.1%) vs 6 (5.5%). More SCD patients 61 (55.5%) vs 35 (31.8%) exhibited poor HSB (p=0.0004). SCD patients who were not enrolled on health insurance scheme were 18 times more likely to have poor HSB (OR=18.38, 95% CI (4.41–76.57), p value= <0.0001) while absence of VOC within the preceding year reduces the risk of poor HSB by 91.5% (OR=0.085, 95% CI (0.028–0.258), p value= <0.0001).

Conclusion

SCD patients in the study locality had poor HSB. This raises the need for their education on proper HSB. More enrollment into health insurance scheme and the prevention of VOC will lessen the burden of poor HSB. The high patronage of non-hospital care facilities in this study raises the need for stakeholders to monitor activities and train the operators at these informal care centres.