EXPLORING THE ACCEPTANCE AND PERCEPTIONS OF HERBAL MEDICINE AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN PAKISTAN: A SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVE
Main Article Content
Keywords
Herbal medicine, public perception, Traditional medicine, Complementary medicine
Abstract
Background: Herbal medicine has been widely used as an alternative or complementary form of treatment in many countries, including Pakistan. This study aimed to assess the perception and usage of herbal medicine among the general population of Pakistan with different educational backgrounds.
Method: An online descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2023, to January 15, 2023, through electronic media channels. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to gauge the most common disorders in the population and the most common herbal medicines used by the population.
Results: Of the 273 participants, 43.75% were male and 56.25% were female, with 78% belonging to the age group of 18-29 Years. Over 60% of the respondents had used herbal medicines in the last 6 months, with most of them using herbal medicine for 1 week. The most common sources of medical information were family and internet sources. Nearly half of the participants did not feel the need to inform their physician regarding the use of herbal medicine, and most of the population perceived that herbal medicines are safer and more economical than pharmaceutical medicines.
Conclusion: The study results showed that the population of Pakistan has a neutral to positive perception of herbal medicine, with most believing that herbal medicines are safe, economical, and beneficial to their health. Further research is required to assess the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines in Pakistan
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Soha Khan
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Sarmad Iqbal
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Roha Khan
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Calvin R Wei
Department of Research and Development, Shing Huei Group, Taipei, Taiwan.
Muhammad Osama
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Shumaila Shaikh
Department of Pharmacology, Bibi Aseefa Dental College, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
Qararo Shah
Department of Community Medicine, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan.
Fahad Jibran Siyal
Department of Pharmacology, Chandka Medical College, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan.
Sumbul Masood
People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for women, Nawabshah-Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan.
Iyad Naeem Muhammad
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan