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The Commonly Utilized Natural Products during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Sina M. AlNajrany

    (Chronic Disease Prevention Centre, Saudi Ministry of Health, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
    The first and last authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yousif Asiri

    (Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ibrahim Sales

    (Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Yazed AlRuthia

    (Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
    Pharmacoeconomics Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
    The first and last authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Objectives: The utilization rate of herbal and dietary supplements among the Saudi population is reported to be high. However, the utilization rate and types of herbal and dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic are largely unknown. Methods: This was an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study that used convenience sampling and social media platforms (Telegram ® , Twitter ® , and WhatsApp ® ) to disseminate a 12-item questionnaire across the Saudi general public aged 18 years and above. The questionnaire inquired about the sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education, geographical location), presence of chronic health conditions and the use of prescription medications, awareness of the viral nature of COVID-19 infection and its common symptoms, and the commonly utilized herbal and/or dietary supplements. Results: Sixty-four percent of the 1473 participants reported using herbal and/or dietary supplements for the purpose of boosting their immune system to prevent COVID-19 infection. In addition, 88.2% of the respondents were misinformed about the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms. Most of the participants were Saudi (91.9%), aged 49 years and younger (83%), female (52%), and healthy (81%). Honey (46%), lemon (45%), ginger (36%), vitamin C (32%), black seed (26%), garlic (26%), and turmeric (19%) were the most commonly used herbal and/or dietary supplements by the participants. Saudi nationals (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.6, p = 0.02), older adults (OR = 1.30, 95% CI:1.10 to 1.55, p = 0.002), and those taking prescription medications had higher odds of using dietary and/or herbal supplements (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.61 to 4.18, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The utilization rate of herbal and dietary supplements among the Saudi public during the COVID-19 pandemic is high. Future studies should examine the impact of different public awareness campaigns aimed at improving the public knowledge of the risk and benefits associated with the use of different commonly utilized herbal and dietary products identified in this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Sina M. AlNajrany & Yousif Asiri & Ibrahim Sales & Yazed AlRuthia, 2021. "The Commonly Utilized Natural Products during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4688-:d:545077
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou & Chrysoula Kyrgou & Evangelia Nena & Vangelis G. Manolopoulos & Eugenia Bezirtzoglou & Christos A. Kontogiorgis & Theodoros C. Constantinidis, 2022. "Use of Edible, Medicinal, and Aromatic Plants in Various Health Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation among Inhabitants in the Area of Thrace, North-Eastern Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Zorica Stanojević-Ristić & Isidora Mrkić & Aleksandar Ćorac & Mirjana Dejanović & Radoslav Mitić & Leonida Vitković & Julijana Rašić & Dragana Valjarević & Aleksandar Valjarević, 2022. "Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Drug–Dietary Supplement and Drug–Herbal Product Interactions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, April.

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