Do pharmaceuticals displace local knowledge and use of medicinal plants? Estimates from a cross-sectional study in a rural indigenous community, Mexico

Abstract Background The usage of medicinal plants as a key component of complementary and alternative medicine, has acquired renewed interest in developed countries. The current situation of medicinal plants in Spain is very limited. This paper provides new insights and greater knowledge about current trends and consumption patterns of medicinal plants in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (Spain) for health benefits. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed for a population-based survey on medicinal plants. The data were collected (May 2018 to May 2019) using semi-structured face-to-face interviews in independent pharmacies, hospital centers and primary care health centers in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. The survey had 18 multiple choice and open-ended questions. Quantitative indices were calculated: Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV) and Informants Consensus Factor (ICF). Chi-square test was used for data analysis. Results Five hundred forty-three people were interviewed. The majority of the participants (89.6%) have used medicinal plants to treat health disorders in the past 12 months, mainly for digestive problems, sleep disorders and central nervous system diseases. A total of 78 plants were recorded, being Matricaria recutita, Valeriana officinalis, Tilia spp. and Aloe vera the most used. The highest UV was found for Mentha pulegium (UV 0.130) followed by Aloe vera (UV 0.097) and Vaccinium macrocarpon. (UV 0.080). The highest FL values were for Eucalyptus spp. (FL 90.47%) for respiratory conditions and, Matricaria recutita (85.55%) and Mentha pulegium (84.09%) for digestive problems. The highest ICF corresponded to metabolism and depression (ICF = 1), pain (ICF = 0.97), insomnia (ICF = 0.96) and anxiety (ICF = 0.95). Participants mostly acquired herbal medicines from pharmacies, herbal shops and supermarkets. Some side effects (tachycardia, dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms) and potential interactions medicinal plants-drugs (V. officinalis and benzodiazepines) were reported. Conclusion Many inhabitants of the Autonomous Community of Madrid currently use herbal products to treat minor health problems. The most common consumer pattern are young women between 18 and 44 years of age with higher education. In order to confirm the pattern, further research should be focused to investigate current uses of medicinal plants in other Spanish regions.

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Canine visceral leishmaniasis in the Krenak indigenous community, Resplendor, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 2007

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0102-311x2011000300020 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 603-607 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eloiza Gonçalves Antônio ◽

Marcos Aurélio Fulgêncio Malacco ◽

Célia Maria Ferreira Gontijo ◽

Eliana Furtado Moreira ◽

Ivo Santana Caldas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Indigenous Community ◽

Molecular Diagnostic ◽

Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Canine Infection

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of the local canine population in the Krenak indigenous community to detect parasites of the genus Leishmania and identify the circulating species and the proportion of asymptomatic dogs, while investigating associations between canine infection and the dogs' sex, age, and hair length. A seroepidemiological survey was performed, including 63 dogs. All the animals underwent clinical examination to verify the presence of characteristic signs, and serum samples were taken for serological tests (ELISA, IIF). Infected dogs culled by the health service were necropsied and the material was analyzed using molecular diagnostic techniques. The cross-sectional study detected a 46% prevalence rate, and the circulating species was Leishmania (L.) chagasi. The statistical analysis showed no association between infection and the independent variables. The study generated data on the epidemiological situation with canine infection in the area, which was previously unknown.

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Medicinal plants used among pregnant women in a tertiary teaching hospital in Jimma, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046495 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. e046495

Author(s):

Seid Mussa Ahmed ◽

Johanne Sundby ◽

Yesuf Ahmed Aragaw ◽

Hedvig Nordeng

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Postpartum Women ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Tertiary Teaching

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate and describe the use of medicinal plants during pregnancy among women admitted in the Maternity and Gynaecology wards at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) in the southwest Ethiopia.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingMaternity and Gynaecology wards at JUMC.Participants1117 hospitalised pregnant women or postpartum women.Main outcome measuresOur primary outcomes of interest were the prevalence of use, types of medicinal plants used and their utilisation among pregnant women.MethodsData were collected through structured face-to-face interviews of pregnant women or postpartum women and review of patient medical records between February and June 2017.ResultsOverall, 28.6% of the women reported use of at least one medicinal plant during the pregnancy. Twenty-seven different types of medicinal plants were used. The most commonly used medicinal plants were Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed—use with caution) 22.0%, Ocimum lamiifolium L. (damakessie—safety unknown) 3.6% and Carica papaya L. (papaya—use with caution) 3.1%. The most common reason for use was preparation, induction or shortening of labour. Lack of access to health facility (mainly health posts), admission to maternity ward, khat chewing and alcohol consumption were the strongest predictors of medicinal plants use during pregnancy (OR >2). Only five medicinal plants used by women had sufficient evidence to be classified as safe to use in pregnancy.ConclusionsAlmost one-third of women at the tertiary hospital in Ethiopia reported use of medicinal plants during pregnancy, most frequently to prepare, induce, reduce the intensity or shorten duration of labour. Increased awareness about potential benefits or risks of medicinal plants use during pregnancy among healthcare professionals and patients, and increased access to childbirth providing healthcare facilities are important in order to promote safer pregnancies and better health outcomes for women and their unborn children.

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The effect of medicinal plants on sexually transmitted infections and cancer: Results from a cross-sectional study in Habiganj district of Bangladesh

European Journal of Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.eujim.2010.09.100 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 220-221

Author(s):

M.A.H. Mollik

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted

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Patients' understanding of words used to describe lumps: a cross-sectional study

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215105006481 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Neil K Chadha ◽

Costa Repanos

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Does a Graduate Course in Fluency Disorders Make a Difference?

Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders ◽

10.1044/ffd20.1.10 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 10-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Evelyn R. Klein ◽

Barbara J. Amster

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Graduate Programs ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Graduate Course ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fluency Disorders ◽

Introductory Course ◽

Communicative Disorders

Abstract A study by Yaruss and Quesal (2002), based on responses from 134 of 239 ASHA accredited graduate programs, indicated that approximately 25% of graduate programs in the United States allow students to earn their degree without having coursework in fluency disorders and 66% of programs allow students to graduate without clinical experience treating people who stutter (PWS). It is not surprising that many clinicians report discomfort in treating PWS. This cross-sectional study compares differences in beliefs about the cause of stuttering between freshman undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory course in communicative disorders and graduate students enrolled and in the final weeks of a graduate course in fluency disorders.

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