Beliefs, Awareness, Use, and Factors Associated with Herbal Supplements Usage Among Patients with Chronic Diseases-A Cross-sectional Insight from Alkharj, Saudi Arabia

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2024 Jan 17

PMID 38232068

Authors

Ahmed A Albassam

Arwa N Alenzi

Norah K Alhaqbani

Fatimah K Alhouty

Ziyad S Almalki

Ahmed M Alshehri

Hussain Aldossari

Muhammad Shahid Iqbal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Herbal supplements (HSs) are used to treat a variety of diseases and ailments. Individuals with chronic diseases are at a higher risk of having adverse events and drug interactions from the use of HSs.

Aim: This study determined the beliefs, awareness, use, and factors associated with HSs usage among patients with chronic diseases in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with chronic diseases between February and June 2019. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at various out-patient clinics in different hospitals. Patients diagnosed with chronic diseases were included in the study. Data were analyzed by descriptive, comparative, and inferential statistics using SAS ver. 9.4.

Results: The study participants were consisted of 533 patients, with mean age 53.6 ±12.9 years. The most prevalent chronic diseases were diabetes mellitus (67.7%), followed by hypertension (54.8%), and hyperlipidemia (53.8%). Among the studied participants, 336 (63%) had used at least one HS, whereby the most commonly used HSs were ginger (74.7%), mint (72%), and cumin (66.7%). Almost 78% of HSs users did not consult any healthcare provider about their use. HSs use varied significantly between female and male participants (p<0.05), whereby 61.5% of female participants used HSs in comparison to the male participants (38.5%). Gender (AOR 0.328; 95% CI 0.139-0.772; p = 0.0107), number of chronic diseases (AOR 1.585; 95% CI 1.084-2.318; p = 0.0312), and hyperlipidemia (AOR 2.818; 95% CI 1.507-5.269; p = 0.0.0012) were the pure factors of HSs use among the studied patients.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that HSs usage was high among patients with chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia. Concurrent usage of HSs with drugs should be well-discussed with healthcare providers to avoid potential adverse events or drug interactions especially among patients with chronic diseases.

Citing Articles

Correction: Beliefs, awareness, use, and factors associated with herbal supplements usage among patients with chronic diseases-A cross-sectional insight from Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.

Albassam A, Alenzi A, Alhaqbani N, Alhouty F, Almalki Z, Alshehri A PLoS One. 2024; 19(8):e0308595.

PMID: 39106286 PMC: 11302847. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308595.

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