Self-therapy

Samahjabi's picture

Self-Therapy Practices Among University Students In Palestine: Focus on Herbal Remedies

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Complement Ther Med. 2008 Dec;16(6):343-9. Epub 2008 Feb 7
Year of Publication: 
2008
Authors: 
Sawalha AF
Poison Control And Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Sweileh WM
Faculty of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Zyoud SH
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, Nablus, Occupied Palestinian Territory
Al-Jabi SW
College of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

BACKGROUND:  Herbal self-therapy is a common practice among Palestinians. However, no published data are available on herbal self-therapy in the Middle East in general, and in Palestine in particular.
OBJECTIVE:  This study was conducted to (1) determine the extent of herbal self-therapy among university students, (2) investigate the different types of herbal remedies used and (3) investigate the correlates and reasons associated with such practices.
METHODOLOGY:  This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out using a structured questionnaire that contained five sections: (1) demographics; (2) medication knowledge and self-care orientation; (3) types of herbal remedies used; (4) clinical conditions treated; and finally, (5) the reasons reported by students for herbal self-therapy practice. Pearson chi(2), multiple logistic regression and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS 13 program.
RESULTS:  33.9% of the respondents reported using herbal remedies in self-therapy. Female gender, students at medical colleges and those with high self-care orientation were significant predictive model for herbal use. Sage (Salvia fruticosa L.), chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were the most commonly utilized herbal remedies. The types of herbal remedies selected were significantly influenced by gender, but not by the level of medication knowledge or self-care orientation. Herbal remedies were used primarily for the treatment of headache, flu, menstrual pain and sore throat. The main motivating factor for using herbal remedies reported for using herbal remedies was simplicity of symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS:  Herbal self-therapy was a common practice among university students. Health care providers need to be aware of the students' self-therapy practices and need to have sufficient knowledge regarding herbs not simply because of the widespread use, but also because of significant reported side effects. Academics need to consider offering courses about herbal remedies to students in both the medical and non-medical faculties to broaden their treatment capabilities during this time of increased unregulated medical interventions such as herbal therapy.

saedzyoud's picture

Self-Therapy Practices Among University Students In Palestine: Focus on Herbal Remedies

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Complement Ther Med. 2008 Dec;Vol 16, Issue 6, Pages:343-349
Year of Publication: 
2008
Authors: 
Ansam F. Sawalha
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Waleed M. Sweileh
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Sa’ed H. Zyoud
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Samah W. Jabi
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

Background: Herbal self-therapy is a common practice among Palestinians. However, no published data are available on herbal self-therapy in the Middle East in general, and in Palestine in particular.
Objective: This study was conducted to (1) determine the extent of herbal self-therapy among university students, (2) investigate the different types of herbal remedies used and (3) investigate the correlates and reasons associated with such practices.
Methodology: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out using a structured questionnaire that contained five sections: (1) demographics; (2) medication knowledge and self-care orientation; (3) types of herbal remedies used; (4) clinical conditions treated; and finally, (5) the reasons reported by students for herbal self-therapy practice. Pearson χ2, multiple logistic regression and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS 13 program.
Results:33.9% of the respondents reported using herbal remedies in self-therapy. Female gender, students at medical colleges and those with high self-care orientation were significant predictive model for herbal use. Sage (Salvia fruticosa L.), chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were the most commonly utilized herbal remedies. The types of herbal remedies selected were significantly influenced by gender, but not by the level of medication knowledge or self-care orientation. Herbal remedies were used primarily for the treatment of headache, flu, menstrual pain and sore throat. The main motivating factor for using herbal remedies reported for using herbal remedies was simplicity of symptoms.
Conclusions: Herbal self-therapy was a common practice among university students. Health care providers need to be aware of the students’ self-therapy practices and need to have sufficient knowledge regarding herbs not simply because of the widespread use, but also because of significant reported side effects. Academics need to consider offering courses about herbal remedies to students in both the medical and non-medical faculties to broaden their treatment capabilities during this time of increased unregulated medical interventions such as herbal therapy.

ansam's picture

Self-Therapy Practices Among University Students in Palestine: Focus on Herbal Remedies

Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Volume 16, Issue 6, December 2008, Pages 343–349
Year of Publication: 
2008
Authors: 
Ansam F. Sawalha
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Current Affiliation: 
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Waleed M. Sweilehb
College of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine Available online 7 February 2008
Sa’ed H. Zyoud
Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine
Samah W. Jabib
College of Pharmacy, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, Palestine Available online 7 February 2008
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

BACKGROUND: Herbal self-therapy is a common practice among Palestinians. However, no published data are available on herbal self-therapy in the Middle East in general, and in Palestine in particular.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to (1) determine the extent of herbal self-therapy among university students, (2) investigate the different types of herbal remedies used and (3) investigate the correlates and reasons associated with such practices.
METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out using a structured questionnaire that contained five sections: (1) demographics; (2) medication knowledge and self-care orientation; (3) types of herbal remedies used; (4) clinical conditions treated; and finally, (5) the reasons reported by students for herbal self-therapy practice. Pearson chi(2), multiple logistic regression and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS 13 program.
RESULTS: 33.9% of the respondents reported using herbal remedies in self-therapy. Female gender, students at medical colleges and those with high self-care orientation were significant predictive model for herbal use. Sage (Salvia fruticosa L.), chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were the most commonly utilized herbal remedies. The types of herbal remedies selected were significantly influenced by gender, but not by the level of medication knowledge or self-care orientation. Herbal remedies were used primarily for the treatment of headache, flu, menstrual pain and sore throat. The main motivating factor for using herbal remedies reported for using herbal remedies was simplicity of symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Herbal self-therapy was a common practice among university students. Health care providers need to be aware of the students' self-therapy practices and need to have sufficient knowledge regarding herbs not simply because of the widespread use, but also because of significant reported side effects. Academics need to consider offering courses about herbal remedies to students in both the medical and non-medical faculties to broaden their treatment capabilities during this time of increased unregulated medical interventions such as herbal therapy.

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