scholarly journals Prevalence, determinants and knowledge about herbal medicine and non-hospital utilisation in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e040769
Author(s):  
Olujimi Aina ◽  
Lata Gautam ◽  
Padam Simkhada ◽  
Sarah Hall

ObjectivesTo examine the prevalence, determinants, safety perceptions, effectiveness and knowledge of herbal medicines (HMs) and reasons for non-hospital utilisation.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingEkiti state, southwest Nigeria.ParticipantsA representative sample (n=1600) of adults (18 years or above) currently living in Ekiti state, southwest Nigeria for at least 2 years, at the time of study.ResultsThe majority of the respondents (85% n=1265) have used HMs in the last 2 years. Across economic classes use, middle income (88.3%) was the highest (p<0.001), suggesting poverty is not a major factor, even with income inequality. Their use was the most common among respondents with a primary level of education (91.4%, p=0.001); and 100% use (p=0.009) of respondents practising African traditional religion; farmers and those 70 years or above. Our study also reveals more men (p<0.001) used HMs (89.9%) than women (78.6%) and effectiveness was a major reason for use (39.6%) followed by affordability (31.9%). Although the majority of the respondents (90%) knew the difference between certified and uncertified HMs, uncertified ones were the most commonly used (37.3%) in the population.ConclusionAlthough there is a cultural history of HM use within the study population, the choice of use was based on their effectiveness. Therefore, a scientifically valid analysis of this claim within the study population may help achieve a cheaper and affordable healthcare alternative which will be safe. This is important, considering that uncertified HMs were chosen over certified ones, even though a large majority of respondents were aware of differences and likely consequences. This study highlights the need for further investment by the government, individuals and corporate stakeholders in HM research and improvement of conventional healthcare system. This is in addition to public health awareness on the danger of use of uncertified herbal products.

Author(s):  
Behrouz Talaei ◽  
Golaleh Asghari ◽  
Parvin Mirmiran ◽  
Fereidoun Azizi ◽  
Shohreh Bahreini

Background: Considering that herbal medicines are commonly used for treatment or management of type 2 diabetes, the aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients with diabetes regarding herbal products. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 421 patients with diabetes who referred to  the Iran Diabetes Association in Tehran, Iran in 2014. The KAP of participants on herbal products were determined by a pre-designed questionnaire containing close ended questions. Results: The participnats' age Mean ± SD was 38.0 ± 20.6 years. Of 421 participants, 163 used some type of herbal products during the past year for controlling diabetes. Of these patients, 40 to 60% did not have knowledge about the possibility and desirability of using herbs along with or instead of the anti-diabetic chemical drugs. However, 71% of patients believed that they could not use herbal products without physician's prescription. Participants had a negative attitude towards using herbal products instead of conventional drugs, especially without the physician's prescription (40–60% of patients). Among users of herbal products, 53.0% believed that these products caused no side effects. One-third of patients used herbal products at least once a month for controlling or treating their disease. Most participnats (64.4%) informed their physiciens about consumingherbal drugs and 15.8% had self-prescribed use of these herbal products. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that nearly a third of patients with diabetes used herbal remedies and most of them considered these products safe. However, more than half of the patients informed their physician about using herbal medicines.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Galanis ◽  
Irene Vraka ◽  
Olga Siskou ◽  
Olympia Konstantakopoulou ◽  
Aglaia Katsiroumpa ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundParents’ intention to vaccinate their children against the COVID-19 is envisaged as critical strategy to control the pandemic.ObjectiveTo investigate the intention of parents to vaccinate their children against the COVID-19 and the factors influencing this intention.MethodsWe conducted an online cross-sectional study in Greece and we collected data during the first week of September 2021. A convenience sample was used by collecting questionnaires through social media. Our study population included adult parents with children aged 12-17 years who were eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.ResultsStudy population included 813 parents with a mean age of 42.3 years. Among parents, 36% reported that they will vaccinate their children against the COVID-19, 33.5% denied vaccination and 30.5% were undecided. Concerns about the safety, effectiveness and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines were the most important reasons for decline of COVID-19 vaccination. Parents who took the flu vaccine in 2020 and those who had more knowledge and fewer concerns about COVID-19 vaccines had a greater probability to vaccinate their children against the COVID-19. Increased self-perceived severity of COVID-19, and increased trust in COVID-19 vaccines and the government regarding the information about the COVID-19 vaccines were associated with parents’ intention to vaccinate their children. However, increased knowledge regarding COVID-19 was associated with decreased intention of parents to vaccinate their children.ConclusionsParents’ intention to vaccinate their children against the COVID-19 was low. Our findings could contribute to the development of target strategies to implement adherence to COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.


2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 325
Author(s):  
Surya Jayanti Kadek ◽  
Dewi Kumara Wati Ketut ◽  
Karyana Putu Gede

Background About 60% of individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) develop their first manifestation during infancy. Cow’s milk (CM) exposure is considered to be a risk factor for AD.Objective To evaluate for an association between cow’s milk exposure and atopic dermatitis in infants > 6 months of age.  Methods This cross-sectional study consisted of subjects from a previous study and new subjects recruited in order to meet the minimum required number of subjects. Our study population comprised 120 infants, born between 1 February and 30 November, 2012 in Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. Subjects were divided into CM and non-CM groups and analyzed for their risk of AD. Subjects were included to CM group if they were fed with cow’s milk/formula  and included to non-CM group if they were breastfeed exclusively in the first six months of life. Other possible risk factors were assessed by multivariate analysis. Results One hundred twenty subjects were enrolled and analyzed (59 in the CM and 61 in the non-CM groups). The prevalence of AD was 30%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between CM exposure and AD, with odds ratio (OR) 2.37 (95%CI 1.036 to 5.420; P=0.04). In addition, maternal diet including eggs and/or cow’s milk during the breastfeeding period was significantly associated with AD in infants (OR 3.18; 95%CI 1.073 to 9.427; P=0.04).Conclusion Cow’s milk exposure is significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in infants  > six months of age. 


Author(s):  
Abdulraof Alqrache ◽  
Mostafa Mostafa ◽  
Omar Ghabrah ◽  
Ziyad Ghabrah ◽  
Nezar Kamal ◽  
...  

Oral dietary supplements (DSs) include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy drinks, and herbal products. The use of DSs is increasing and their manufacturers promote their benefits. Studies have validated some of these benefits, but have also indicated that some DSs can have adverse effects, especially if used without the appropriate supervision. Little information on DS use among Saudis is available. This study assessed the use of dietary supplements among male and female university students with the goal of educating the community about DSs and the dangers associated with their misuse. Online and paper validated questionnaires were administered to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students between September 2019 and January 2020. The responses were collected and analyzed statistically. Of the 954 KAU students who completed the survey, one-third used DSs (42.9% women vs 25.7% men). Of these, 51.7% believed that DSs are essential for health, 41.7% classified them as both food and drugs, 67.2% were aware that DSs could not replace a healthy diet, and 25.8% were aware of their potentially harmful effects. Multivitamins and minerals were the most used DSs. DS awareness among KAU students is limited. Additional health education is necessary to assist students in their selection of the most suitable DSs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
Dr. Padma K Bhat ◽  
Dr. Sushma S G ◽  
Dr. Jayachandra M Y

Background: Tobacco use is so addictive among youth and is one of the global epidemics which require constant monitoring and timely appropriate action to prevent usage. School personnel play one of the main roles in taking appropriate action. Aim: To assess knowledge and attitude of tobacco use pattern among school personnel in Bangalore city. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out for a period of six months from May to October 2017. Stratified cluster sampling was done to include the government and English medium schools in Bangalore south. All the school personnel in the selected schools were eligible to participate. The data collection tool was GSPS questionnaire (WHO FCTC Tobacco Control). Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact Test was used to demonstrate cross tabulation with confidence intervals. Significance level of 0.05 was considered for statistical analyses Results : Majority of both Kannada and English medium school personnel did not use any forms of tobacco. Both the English and Kannada medium school personnel were aware of the addictive effect of tobacco, but majority of the Kannada medium personnel said second hand smoke is not harmful as compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Tobacco use among school personnel was low. Most of the school personnel were informed about the addictive nature of tobacco.


Author(s):  
Anupama Pulla ◽  
Asma . ◽  
Nanduri Samyuktha ◽  
Soumya Kasubagula ◽  
Aishwarya Kataih ◽  
...  

Background: Computer vision syndrome is a complex of eye and vision problems related to near work which are experienced due to prolonged computer use. Computers demand near work, for longer duration which increases discomfort of eye and prolonged exposure to the discomfort leads to a cascade of symptoms that can be referred as computer vision syndrome. The aims and objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome among engineering students of Hyderabad, Telangana and to determine the factors related to computer vision syndrome among study population.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out from March to June 2017 among students of an engineering college in Hyderabad, Telangana. A convenient sample of 300 students was taken and a predesigned, pre tested questionnaire was used to obtain information.Results: Majority of study population were males (56.3%). Around 75.1% of study population were using all the electronic gadgets like computers, laptops and smartphones. The prevalence of computer vision syndrome was found to be 60.3%. Around 46.7% of study population viewed the screen from a distance of 22-40 centimeters.Conclusions: As students pursuing engineering stream are the future IT and Computer software engineers, preventive strategies adopted by them will significantly decrease the burden of computer vision syndrome and improve productivity. In this study a significant proportion of the engineering students were found to be having vision problems, which emphasizes the need to adopt preventive measures to avoid computer vision syndrome. 


Author(s):  
Shivraj More ◽  
Sujatha P. ◽  
Karthiga Karthiga

Background: Menopause is an inevitable milestone in the reproductive life of every woman. The objective is to investigate menopausal knowledge, attitude, symptoms and management among the participants, to identify the differences according to their educational status and to examine correlations of knowledge, attitude and symptoms pertaining to menopause.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 10 months in postmenopausal women attending a tertiary care center in Pondicherry, India with a structured questionnaire developed on the basis of the objective of the study.Results: 330 postmenopausal women were recruited, and all were aware of their postmenopausal status. Mean age at menopause was 45.91±2.66 years. 54.5% were aware about what menopause was while 5.5% were unaware. 12.1% had proper knowledge about cause of menopause, whereas 3.6% said it is due to god’s decision / turning point. Most prevalent symptoms were tiredness (89.6%) followed by vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes (88.5%) and night sweats (80.3%). Only 2.1% had used HRT for menopausal symptoms.Conclusions: Depth of knowledge is more important when concern is about greater health disrupter which tends to be imperceptible for a long time such as bone health and cardiovascular risk profile. Thus, the government could concentrate on providing health services to women in post reproductive age group also besides women in the reproductive age.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 110-115
Author(s):  
Pratibha Manandhar ◽  
Ram Krishna Chandyo

Background: Diarrhea and acute respiratory tract infection are the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality in Nepal. Proper hand washing techniques help to reduce the incidence of diarrhea and acute respiratory infection in children.Objective: Objective of this study was to identify hand washing knowledge and practice among school children of Duwakot, Bhaktapur.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 340 students of grade V, VI and VII from both the government and private schools of Duwakot, Bhaktapur. Convenient sampling technique was applied in government schools (due to less number of students) whereas students were randomly selected from private school (due to large number).Result: All the students had knowledge about the hand washing technique before meal and after defecation. Almost all (99.4%) students reported that they wash hand before meal and 92.4% students reported that they practiced hand washing after defecation. But, only 8.5% students at school and 47% students at home regularly washed hand with soap and water. However 91.6% students at school and 81% students at home washed hand only by water due to unavailability of soap.Conclusion: Although students had hand washing knowledge; proper hand washing practices was lagging behind.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-158
Author(s):  
Rajat Deb

The study has been motivated to assay the selective stakeholders’ perceptions on whether the government financial audit has been converted into forensic audit. Adopting a cross-sectional study design with survey strategy through a self-administered interview schedule with a 50-item inventory, data has been collected from randomly chosen 120 sample respondents having equal representations from two groups—current and retired government employees and businessmen of Tripura. The significant statistical results have concluded that corruption and accounting slacks have important impacts on the government audits, and the latter if used in an appropriate manner are likely to detect frauds and catalyse in bringing accounting reforms.


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