Public’s Perception and Attitude of Herbal Medication for Respiratory Viral Infections

Yousef Ahmed Alomi; Ghadeer Alhazmi; Murouj Almaghrabi; Ghaida Alzahrani; Mohammad Almatrafi

Abstract

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2021,10,4,153-159.

DOI:10.5530/ijpcs.2021.10.21

Published:December 2021

Type:Research Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, Bsc. Pharm, Msc. Clin pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE Critical Care Clinical Pharmacists, TPN Clinical Pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor and Data Analyst, P.O.BOX 100, Riyadh 11392, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.

Ghadeer Alhazmi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAUDI ARABIA.

Murouj Almaghrabi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAUDI ARABIA.

Ghaida Alzahrani, Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAUDI ARABIA.

Mohammad Almatrafi, (ID logo), Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAUDI ARABIA.

Abstract:

Background: The use of herbal-origin medications is overgrowing, snowballing belief in its absolute safety. However, some herbal medicines have revealed severe adverse events that may reach death. Hence, it is vital to understand the perception and attitude of patients towards using herbal medications. Objectives: This survey analysis goals to gauge patients’ perceptions and attitudes towards herbal medicine to manage respiratory infections. Design and Settings: A self-administered, structured questionnaire was sent to the public online, counting questions on the responders’ demographics and questions about different herbal medications and their use to treat viral respiratory infections. The survey also encompassed questions to evaluate patients’ perceptions and attitudes towards the use of herbal medicine. Data analysis was implemented through SPSS program version 26. Results: Four hundred and eighty-six responders contributed in this questionnaire. 89.92% of the responders were from the west area, and 94.62% had a Saudi nationality. 56.49% were in the age group between 18 to 30 years old. 46.27% were students, while only 23.44% were employees. 53.69% had an income <3000 SR. 18.32% were healthcare practitioners, and 53.85% were physicians. 45.42% of the patients did not use herbal medications over the last year. 44.01% found herbal medicines effective and valuable, and 41.98% of the responders described herbal medicines as operative. Patients’ gender (p-value=0.025) significantly affected patients’ perception of using herbal medications, where females showed a significantly better perception than females. The validity was tested by Mac (0.96), Cronbach (0.958), Guttmann 2 (0.961), and Guttmann 6 (0.973). Conclusion: The attitudes and perceptions of herbal medicine use among patients in Saudi Arabia are scarce. Awareness of the general public about herbal medications should be amended.