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Wolf M, Emberger-Klein A, Menrad K. Usage of Natural Health Products (NHPs) for respiratory diseases: user characteristics and NHP-Consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:372. [PMID: 37865731 PMCID: PMC10589963 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04180-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory diseases (RD) can challenge healthcare systems around the globe. Natural health products (NHPs) are popular complementary and alternative medicine options for health issues concerning non-fatal RD. Little is known about the characteristics of the users of RD-NHPs and about their NHP consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany. METHODS A representative online survey was conducted in Germany in 2022. 1707 participants were classified based on having used NHPs for RD within the previous 12 months, having used NHPs but not for RD within the previous 12 months and not having used NHPs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods as well as a multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS Users of RD-NHPs within the previous 12 months were more likely to be employed and to consult pharmacists more often for non-fatal health issues than individuals who did not take RD-NHPs. RD-NHP users were more likely to suffer from a Covid-19 infection and to have children living in the same household than other NHP users. Compared to non-NHP users, RD-NHP users were more likely to be female, highly educated and have stronger openness-to-change value orientations. Vaccination-related behavior was no indicator of RD-NHP usage. Most RD-NHP users took NHPs in self-medication. Few reported informing their practitioner about their self-medication. Drugstores were the most visited supply source for NHPs during the pandemic, followed by pharmacies. Common information sources regarding NHPs were the products themselves and pharmacists. CONCLUSION This study emphasized the important role of NHPs as a popular prevention and treatment option for RD. RD-NHPs were more likely used by individuals who were employed, who suffered from a RD and who consult pharmacists for non-fatal health issues. The importance of product information and pharmacies as information sources should be considered to make communication strategies about safe self-medication options with RD-NHPs more effective, which could help to reduce the burden of health facilities regarding non-fatal RD. To improve and develop future pandemic-control strategies, health professionals and policy makers should consider NHP usage behavior and provide critical information about chances and risks of self-medicated NHP consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Wolf
- Department of Marketing and Management of Biogenic Resources, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (University of Applied Sciences), Technical University of Munich, Am Essigberg 3, D-94315, Straubing, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Agnes Emberger-Klein
- Department of Marketing and Management of Biogenic Resources, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (University of Applied Sciences), Technical University of Munich, Am Essigberg 3, D-94315, Straubing, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Klaus Menrad
- Department of Marketing and Management of Biogenic Resources, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (University of Applied Sciences), Technical University of Munich, Am Essigberg 3, D-94315, Straubing, Bavaria, Germany.
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Jin X, Xu L, Lu C, Xue X, Liu X, Zhou Y, Hu X, Liu J, Pei X. Traditional Chinese medicine for the COVID-19 pandemic: An online cross-sectional survey among health care workers. Eur J Integr Med 2023; 61:102273. [PMID: 38620124 PMCID: PMC10293119 DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Background : During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) have faced a heightened risk of infection. Preventative measures are critical to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect HCWs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been recommended to prevent and treat COVID-19 in China. We conducted this survey to investigate the use of infection control behaviors, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among HCWs during the surge of Omicron variant infections to explore the association of preventative measures with outcomes and to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of TCM as a preventative measure. Methods : The questionnaire consisted of 23 sections with 154 questions intended for HCWs. The targeted respondents comprised all HCWs from Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The recruitment process was open between March 17 and June 1, 2022. Chi-square test was used to estimate the relationship between prevention and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors influencing the use of TCM as a preventative measure. Results : Among the 1122 participants who completed the questionnaire, 79.71% took preventative measures, including TCM (56.21%), physical activities (52.37%) and food supplements (26.99%). Xiamen preventative formula (a government-approved fixed prescription) (45.22%) and Lianhua Qingwen preparations (18.95%) were the most commonly used Chinese medicines. Thirty-six participants reported flu-like symptoms and three were diagnosed with COVID-19. Flu-like symptoms were not associated with prevention, vaccination, or TCM. Frontline working experience (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46-0.80), good knowledge of post-COVID-19 syndrome (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39-0.84), Western medicine qualifications (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.51-3.86), nurses (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.21-2.40), and medical technicians (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.25-4.10) were associated with the willingness of using TCM as a preventative measure. Conclusion : Complementary medicine, especially TCM, could be used for COVID-19 prevention. Knowledge of COVID-19 may prompt people to use TCM to prevent COVID-19. Multicenter studies and prospective cohort follow-up studies are needed to provide further insights into the use of TCM for COVID-19 management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Jin
- Centre for Evidence-based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
- Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, China
| | - Leqin Xu
- Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, China
| | - Chunli Lu
- Centre for Evidence-based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
- Institute of Chinese medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xue Xue
- The First Clinical Medical School, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, 430074, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuehan Liu
- Centre for Evidence-based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yuzhen Zhou
- Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, China
| | - Xiaoyang Hu
- School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jianping Liu
- Centre for Evidence-based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaohua Pei
- Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, China
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Zheng Y, Liu J, Tang PK, Hu H, Ung COL. A systematic review of self-medication practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for pharmacy practice in supporting public health measures. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1184882. [PMID: 37397709 PMCID: PMC10310324 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1184882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication had become highly popular due to the risk of virus infection and overwhelming medical resources. Pharmacists are well-positioned to provide public health education and disease prevention. This study aims to provide an overview of the research about self-medication during COVID-19 and the role of pharmacists in ensuring the drug safety related to self-medication. Methods Databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EBSCO host, and Web of Science) were searched for published studies on the practice of self-medication in COVID-19 pandemic without restriction in population and location. Primary search terms were "self-medication," "self-care," "self-management," "non-prescription drugs," "2019nCoV," and "COVID-19." Studies conducted during the pandemic but not exclusively for COVID-19 disease were eligible for inclusion. Results The database search yielded a total of 4,752 papers. After appropriate screening, 62 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were cross-sectional in nature. The review highlighted a very high prevalence of self-medication during COVID-19, ranging from 7.14 to 88.3%. The purpose of self-medication was mainly to treat and prevent COVID-19; fever, body aches, cough, headache, and sore throat were the most frequently mentioned indications. Categories of drugs commonly used in self-medication included antibiotics, herbs, vitamins, and analgesics, most of which came from pharmacies. Information about self-medication usually obtained from relatives and friends, social networks and health care professionals. Common reasons for self-medication included saving money and time, prior experience and mild illness; reasons associated with COVID-19 were mainly fear of contracting the virus and poor access to doctors. Gender, age, education, marital status, and concern about COVID-19 were the most usual associated factors. The role of pharmacists in self-medication included sources of information, advice on medication use, and management of adverse reactions. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication practices were widespread and varied across countries and populations. Self-medication has emerged as an important component of health care, but also as a huge global challenge. The engagement of healthcare administrators and policy makers are essential to regulate self-medication practices. The expertise and favorable conditions of pharmacists make them positioned as key roles in public health interventions for self-medication. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=395423, identifier CRD42023395423.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Pou Kuan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Hao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
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Soltani A, Jaam M, Nazar Z, Stewart D, Shaito A. Attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of herbs and supplementary medications with COVID-19: A systematic review. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:343-55. [PMID: 36402712 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM There is growing interest in using herbs and supplementary medications to treat and/or prevent COVID-19, evidenced by multiple reports exploring their effectiveness and safety. From a health psychology perspective, the desire to use herbs and supplementary medications to prevent and/or treat COVID-19 is a health behavior which is attributed to attitudes and beliefs. This systematic review critically appraised and synthesized the data from studies investigating these attitudes and beliefs. METHODS EMBASE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane (library), and WebOfScience were searched from inception to December 13, 2021 for studies investigating attitudes and beliefs on the use of herbs and supplementary medications to treat and/or prevent COVID-19. RESULTS A total of 17 articles were identified for inclusion. All except one were of cross-sectional design. Participants across most studies had a positive attitude towards using herbs and supplementary medications. They believed that herbs and supplementary medications were effective and were confident in their value in preventing and/or treating COVID-19 symptoms. The majority of included studies had significant flaws in study design and reporting, including inconsistent definitions of herbs and supplementary medications, a lack of theoretical models and conceptual frameworks underpinning the study of beliefs and attitudes, in addition to methodological issues of robustness affecting the validity and reliability of data. CONCLUSION The use of herbs and supplementary medicines to prevent and/or treat COVID-19 could well be driven by a positive attitude stemming from beliefs of effectiveness and safety. There is a need for well-designed studies on attitudes and beliefs that are driven by health behavior theories to permit generalizability of findings and establish more conclusive relationships between beliefs, attitudes and the decision to use herbs and supplementary medications to treat and/or prevent COVID-19.
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Nasir Ahmed M, Hughes K. Role of ethno-phytomedicine knowledge in healthcare of COVID-19: advances in traditional phytomedicine perspective. Beni-Suef Univ J Basic Appl Sci 2022; 11:96. [PMID: 35966214 PMCID: PMC9362587 DOI: 10.1186/s43088-022-00277-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, ethnomedicinal plants have been used in diverse geographical locations for their purported prophylactic and pharmacological effects. Medicinal plants have been relied on by people around the globe for centuries, as 80% of the world’s population rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary health care needs, according to the World Health Organization.
Main body This review portrays advances in traditional phytomedicine by bridging the knowledge of ethno-phytomedicine and COVID-19 healthcare. Ethnomedicinal plants have been used for symptoms related to COVID-19 as antiviral, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antipyretic, and lung–gut immune boosters. Traditionally used medicinal plants have the ability to inhibit virus entry and viral assembly, bind to spike proteins, membrane proteins, and block viral replications and enzymes. The efficacy of traditional medicinal plants in the terms of COVID-19 management can be evaluated by in vitro, in vivo as well as different in silico techniques (molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, machine learning, etc.) which have been applied extensively to the quest and design of effective biotherapeutics rapidly. Other advances in traditional phytomedicines against COVID-19 are controlled clinical trials, and notably the roles in the gut microbiome. Targeting the gut microbiome via medicinal plants as prebiotics is also found to be an alternative and potential strategy in the search for a COVID-19 combat strategy. Conclusions Since medicinal plants are the sources of modern biotherapeutics development, it is essential to build collaborations among ethnobotanists, scientists, and technologists toward developing the most efficient and the safest adjuvant therapeutics against the pandemic of the twenty-first century, COVID-19.
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Karatas Y, Khan Z, Öz EE, Özagil ESG, Abussuutoğlu AB, Erkişi T, Pelit A, Khan FU, Rahman H. Parental self-medication and associated factors in children: a cross-sectional study in Turkey. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jphsr/rmac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
This study was conducted to evaluate the parental self-medication (SM) practices in children and associated factors in Adana, Turkey.
Methods
A web-based cross-sectional survey was carried out among the parents between December 2020 and April 2021. This study was conducted according to the ‘Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES)’ guidelines. A one-page survey included details about sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, profession, education of parents and others) sources of information, questions related to parental SM practices for their children (SM practices, common illnesses, drugs used as SM practices and drug-related information) and the reasons behind SM practices were disseminated via social media networks (Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook) to eligible participants. Online sample size calculator was used, and snow-ball sampling was employed during the study. The final automatic responses from Google Forms were retrieved as ‘Excel datasheet’ and then cleaned, coded and imported into the SPSS statistical tool (v.25.0).
Key findings
This study included a total of 370 participants (response rate of 95.4%). Parental SM practices were revealed to be more (n = 234; 63.5%) prevalent. The most frequent problems for parents who follow SM practices were fever (39.5%; n = 146) and abdominal pain (23.8%; n = 88). The most commonly used class of drugs was antipyretics followed by analgesics and antibiotics. The main reasons for SM practices were personal experience in treating children (n = 186; 50.3%) and high consultation charges (n = 72; 19.5%). Mother working status and parental educational level were two main factors found to be statistically associated with SM practices (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
The prevalence of parental SM practices was high. There is an urgent need for the parental educational program, the development of national policies about rational medicine usage and durable actions to discourage SM practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Karatas
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
- Pharmacovigilance Specialist, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Balcalı Hospital, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
| | - Zakir Khan
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
| | - Emine Ekemen Öz
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
| | - Ezgi Sena Gören Özagil
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
| | - Ayşe Büşra Abussuutoğlu
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
| | - Tansu Erkişi
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, 01330 Adana , Turkey
| | - Aykut Pelit
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University , Sarıcam, Adana , Turkey
| | - Faiz Ullah Khan
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Health Science Centre, Xi’an Jiaotong University , Xi’an, Shaanxi , China
| | - Hazir Rahman
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) , Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Pakistan
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Tarus HA, Yalazı RÖ, Karadeniz H, Can Gürkan Ö. Traditional and Complementary Medicines Methods Used by Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19. Complement Med Res 2022; 30:19-25. [PMID: 36198258 PMCID: PMC9892993 DOI: 10.1159/000527311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to determine traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) methods used by patients before and after being diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between 27 March 2021 and 2 July 2021, in the community health services unit of Düzce Province, Central District, in the western Black Sea region. 547 people participated in the study. Two forms prepared by the researchers, the "Participant Identification Form" and the "Assessment Form for the Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Methods," were used to collect the data. RESULTS Before the diagnosis of COVID-19, patients reported that they consumed the highest rate of medicinal plants (56.1%) and fruits (40.4%) and prayed (40.4%) to prevent disease. After the diagnosis of COVID-19, they stated that they consumed the highest percentage of medicinal plants (68.4%) and fruit (53.0%) and prayed (48.4%) to reduce disease symptoms. It was seen that herbal products/herbal mixtures (medicinal plants [p < 0.001], fruits [p < 0.001], and fruit vinegars [p < 0.001]), and T&CM methods such as supplements like C, E, D, and other vitamins (p < 0.001), prayer (p < 0.001), massage (p < 0.001), and apitherapy (p < 0.001) were found to be statistically significant after COVID-19 diagnosis compared to before. CONCLUSION In this study, it was determined that the patients often used T&CM methods such as herbal products (especially medicinal plants and fruits) and prayer before and after COVID-19 diagnosis, and the use of these T&CM methods increased significantly after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamide Arslan Tarus
- Division of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey, .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey,
| | - Rüveyda Ölmez Yalazı
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey,Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Hilal Karadeniz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey,Division of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Özlem Can Gürkan
- Division of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey,*Özlem Can Gürkan,
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Kıroğlu O, Berktaş F, Khan Z, Dağkıran M, Karatas Y. Self-medication practices with conventional and herbal drugs among ear, nose, and throat patients. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2022; 68:1416-1422. [PMID: 36417646 PMCID: PMC9683902 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20220430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the self-practices with conventional and herbal drug use among ear, nose, and throat outpatients. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey-based study was carried out among all ear, nose, and throat outpatients on their first visit to the otorhinolaryngology department at a tertiary care hospital. The survey comprised a total of 14 questions with 4 different sections, including demographic characteristics, self-medication of conventional medicines, herbal medication usage, and perception regarding herbal medicines. RESULTS: Overall, 255 questionnaires were distributed among patients, of which 183 completed the questionnaire (response rate=71.7%). Respondents reported self-medication (44.8%) with conventional drugs before visiting a hospital. The most commonly used medicine was analgesics (31.7%) and antibiotics (21.9%). Nearly half of the patients (49.2%) used at least one herbal drug. The most commonly used herbal medications were Tilia cordata (78.8%), Zingiber officinale (62.2%), and Camellia sinensis (45.5%). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, most of the medicinal herbs were considered as data deficient/least concern. About 36.6% of the participants perceived that herbal drugs are effective for ear, nose, and throat problems. Moreover, 22.9% of the patients did not know about herbal-drug interaction with other medications. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed a considerable prevalence of self-based practices with conventional and herbal medications. Strict national regulations on conventional and herbal medication access and long-term actions should be implemented to discourage inappropriate drug use.
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Kladar N, Bijelić K, Gatarić B, Bubić Pajić N, Hitl M. Phytotherapy and Dietotherapy of COVID-19—An Online Survey Results from Central Part of Balkan Peninsula. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:1678. [PMID: 36141290 PMCID: PMC9498599 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10091678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the appearance of the novel coronavirus disease of 2019—COVID-19, various therapeutic approaches were attempted, with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) taking an important place. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of CAM with the purpose of prevention or treatment of COVID-19 during the pandemics. A prospective, cross-sectional study, in the form of an on-line survey was conducted. A total of 1704 responses were collected. Among the respondents, 2.76% declared currently and 22.12% previously having COVID-19. Approximately one quarter of interviewees (23.24%) declared themselves as phytotherapy users. The most frequently used medicinal plants were garlic, ginger and chamomile. The majority of respondents stated that they expected positive effects on immune and respiratory system. Medicinal plants were frequently used, on a daily basis. The main sources of information for applied self-medication were populistic thematic literature, followed by the Internet. Approximately one-third of phytotherapy users (35.25%) consulted with a medical professional before the application of phytotherapy. Regarding dietotherapy, 41.14% of respondents reported using non-herbal dietary supplements, while only 7.16% reported specific diet. The presented results suggest that CAM is recognized and readily used as a potential alternative and complementary regimen in the fight against COVID-19.
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Tegegne AA, Mulugeta A, Genetu B, Endale A, Elias A. Perception Towards COVID-19 Related Symptoms and Traditional Medicine Used for Their Management Among Patients and Their Attendants in Ethiopian Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:5023-5034. [PMID: 36065278 PMCID: PMC9440696 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s380211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisu Afrassa Tegegne
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Addisu Afrassa Tegegne, Email
| | - Abel Mulugeta
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
| | - Betelhem Genetu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
| | - Abyot Endale
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
| | - Asrat Elias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
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Hasheminasab FS, Azimi M, Khodadoost M, Choubani B, Shakeri N, Ghasemi S, Farokhi A, Mokaberinajad R. Efficacy of the barley-based remedy, a Persian medicine formula, in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized patients: An open-labeled randomized controlled trial. Advances in Integrative Medicine 2022. [PMID: 35469143 PMCID: PMC9020837 DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background With the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the growing attention of people around the world to the use of traditional and complementary medicines to control of the disease, evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments has received special attention. Aim This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of a barley-based (Hordeum vulgare) remedy combined with conventional medicine in comparison to the conventional therapy in confirmed COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods Seventy COVID-19 patients were randomly divided into barley-based remedy plus conventional medicine (barley-based remedy group) and conventional therapy (control group). Both groups were treated for 5 days. The outcomes were oxygen saturation, main symptoms (fever, respiratory rate, cough, and fatigue), and laboratory data (lymphocytic count, and CRP); they were measured for 6 days. Results In comparison to the control group, the oxygen saturation level in the barley-based remedy group significantly increased, from the second day of the intervention (P < 0.05). The herbal remedy significantly improved fatigue from the third day (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the severity and frequency of cough between the groups were not significantly different. The herbal remedy had no significant effect on the CRP and the lymphocytic count of every time points of measurement. The average of respiratory rate and temperature of patients were in the normal range in both groups during the intervention. Conclusion Barley-based remedy could significantly enhance the blood oxygen saturation and reduce fatigue. However, it needs to be confirmed by large sample size trials.
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