Assessment of the Use of Herbal Supplements and Attitudes of Adults Taking Medication

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 45 - 50, 31.01.2025

Rahime Evra Karakaya

https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.1607686

Abstract

Aim: The use of herbal supplements is increasing today, and these products have a significant impact on individuals' health. The aim of this study is to examine the use and reasons for using herbal supplements, as well as to determine individuals' attitudes towards these products.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with individuals aged 19-65 who use medications. A questionnaire containing questions about the participants' demographic characteristics, herbal supplement usage, and attitudes was administered by the researcher through face-to-face interviews.
Results: Of the 274 participants in the study, 10.6% use herbal supplements, with the most preferred products being ginseng, St. John's wort, and garlic (20.7%, 27.6%, and 37.9%, respectively). It was found that individuals who consume alcohol use herbal supplements 3.188 times more, and those who exercise use them 3.470 times more than those who do not (p=0.043, p=0.015, respectively). Most herbal supplement users agreed with the statement, "Herbal supplements can be used immediately when experiencing symptoms related to illness," while most non-users disagreed (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Given that the preferred herbal supplements may lead to potential interactions with medications and that individuals' attitudes towards herbal supplements vary, the importance of healthcare professionals providing individuals with accurate and comprehensive information is emphasized.

Keywords

herbal products, dietary supplements, medication, food-drug interactions

Ethical Statement

The approval was obtained from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Health Sciences Ethics Committee (Date: 01.07.2024, Decision No: 06/798).

Supporting Institution

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.

Project Number

06/798

İlaç Kullanan Yetişkinlerde Bitkisel Destek Ürünleri Kullanımının ve Tutumların Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Günümüzde bitkisel destek ürünlerinin kullanımı giderek artmaktadır ve bu ürünler bireylerin sağlık durumları üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahiptir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, bitkisel destek ürünlerinin kullanımını ve kullanım nedenlerini inceleyerek, bireylerin bu ürünlere yönelik tutumlarını belirlemektir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma 19-65 yaş aralığındaki ilaç kullanan bireyler ile yürütülmüştür. Bireylerin demografik özellikleri, bitkisel destek ürünü kullanım durumları ve tutumlarına yönelik sorular içeren anket formu araştırmacı tarafından yüz yüze görüşme yöntemi ile uygulanmıştır.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya katılan 274 bireyin %10,6’sı bitkisel destek ürünü kullanmaktadır ve bu ürünlerden en çok ginseng, sarı kantaron ve sarımsak ürünlerinin tercih edildiği görülmüştür (sırasıyla; %20.7, %27,6 ve %37,9). Alkol tüketenlerin tüketmeyenlere göre 3,188 kat, egzersiz yapanların yapmayanlara göre 3,470 kat daha fazla bitkisel destek ürünü kullandığı saptanmıştır (sırasıyla p=0,043, p=0,015). Bitkisel destek ürünü kullananların çoğu ‘Hastalık ile ilgili bir belirti hissedildiğinde hemen bitkisel destek ürünleri kullanılabilir.’ ifadesine katıldıklarını belirtirken, bitkisel destek ürünü kullanmayanların çoğu katılmadıklarını ifade etmişlerdir (p<0,001).
Sonuç: Tercih edilen bitkisel destek ürünlerinin ilaçlarla potansiyel etkileşimlere yol açabileceği ve bireylerin bitkisel ürünlere yönelik tutumlarının farklılık gösterdiği dikkate alındığında, sağlık profesyonellerinin bireyleri doğru ve kapsamlı bir şekilde bilgilendirmesinin önemi vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

bitkisel ürün, besin destekleri, ilaç, besin-ilaç etkileşimleri

Project Number

06/798

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