＜英語論文＞
The use of herbal and dietary supplements for COVID-19 prevention: A survey among the public in a Malaysian suburban town
Mohd Shahezwan Abd Wahab 1 2, Humaira’ Hamdi 1, Aida Azlina Ali 1, Mahmathi Karuppannan 1, Muhammad Harith Zulkifli 1, Sandra Maniam 3, Carolina Oi Lam Ung 4
1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
2 Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
3 Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia
4 State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao
Abstract
Introduction: The spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may lead people to seek preventative measures. The use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) may have become prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify the prevalence, predictors, and patterns of HDS use for COVID-19 prevention in a sample of the general public in a suburban town in Malaysia.
Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and June 2021 involving adults ≥ 18 years old. Data on the self-reported use of HDS for COVID-19 prevention were collected. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of HDS use.
Results: Overall, 41.9 % (168/401) reported using HDS to prevent COVID-19. Multivariate analysis showed that HDS users were more likely to be individuals ≥ 40 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.774, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.016 – 3.098), and to have had a history of HDS use prior to the pandemic (aOR = 19.378, 95 % CI = 5.901 – 63.639). Most HDS users referred to social media or websites (66.7 %, 112/168) for HDS information. Approximately half of them had consulted either pharmacists or doctors about their HDS use.
Conclusion: HDS use to prevent COVID-19 was common among the respondents. Several issues – such as the concurrent use of HDS with conventional medications, the use of unreliable sources of information, and the lack of consultation with healthcare providers (HCPs) – indicate that HCPs should be more proactive in their consultative and information-providing roles regarding HDS use.
Keywords: Coronavirus disease; Herbal and dietary supplements; Malaysia; Prevention; Survey.
PMID: 36998482
PMCID: PMC10032060
DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100650 J Herb Med . 2023
Epub 2023 Mar 22.
