| DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/mujps.2016.1 | Pharm Sci Asia 2016; 43(1), 1-16 |
Knowledge, attitudes and practices in the use of herbal medicine: the case of urban and rural mothers in the PhilippinesH.A.L. Catublas*
- College of Pharmacy, Adamson University, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
This study was conducted to assess the differences in terms of general knowledge, attitudes and practices in the use of herbal medicine among mothers in urban and rural areas. This aims to determine whether the demographics variables such as age, length of stay, number of children, income, and educational attainment play a significant role in their differences. It also includes determination of factors that encourage the participants to use herbal medicines and to supply data on the most commonly used plants for the treatment of various health conditions. The respondents were identified using the snow ball and convenience sampling method. A total of 30 respondents were interviewed specifically mothers from 3 different Barangays(or villages) in Makati City (n = 15) and 4 Barangays in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, Philippines (n = 15). The survey composed of demography and types of herbal medicines used by the respondents, indications for their use, the sources, the influences, benefits, and adverse effects of the herbal medicine. Safety use of herbal remedies, general attitudes and practices of the participating mothers were also included in the questionnaire. Independent sample t-test showed that the mothers residing in the rural areas are generally more knowledgeable particularly on 7 (Akapulko, Bawang, Lagundi, Sambong, Tsaang-gubat, Yerba-buena, and Pansit-pansitan) out of the 10 Herbal Medicines approved by the Philippine’s Department of Health (DOH) compared to mothers in the urban area. However, based on the average mean difference of 0.457 and t-valueof 2.94 with the corresponding p-value of 0.089 of the 10 herbal medicines, there is no significant difference (α = 0.05). There is no enough evidence to show that urban and rural mothers have different level of knowledge on herbal products. However, it was also observed that rural mothers showed more favorable responses towards the scaled items on safety, attitude, and practices as depicted by the higher number of “strongly agree” responses. The respondents chose the specific herbal medicines among the most commonly used herbal medicines because of the availability.
Keyword:
Herbal medicine, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Health condition
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