Laypeople's Perception of the Uses of Herbal Medicine

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 BSc. Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

2 Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

3 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Herbal medicines are used worldwide mostly for treating different health-related problems and improving
overall wellbeing since herbals are safer than conventional drug therapy. This study aimed to assess laypeople's
perceptions of the uses of herbal medicine. Through a cross-sectional with an analytical component study design, 300
laypeople were conveniently involved from outpatient clinics at Samanoud Hospital affiliated with the Ministry of
Health and Population. The researchers collected demographic and socio-economic characteristics and assessed the
knowledge, self-reported practices, and attitudes of laypeople through four structured interview questionnaires and a
structured interview scale. Results declare that 73.0% and 65.7% of laypeople had poor knowledge and improper selfpractice
levels, respectively, regarding the uses of herbal medicine. In addition, 94.3% of laypeople had a positive
attitude level. The researchers conclude that the highest percentages of laypeople have poor knowledge and improper
self-reported practices regarding the use of herbal medicine, while most of them have a positive attitude level. Finally,
the researchers recommend conducting health education programs via different methods toward the use of herbal
medicine to improve the knowledge and practices of laypeople and creating health educational materials toward herbal
medicine appropriate to laypeople attending outpatient clinics.

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