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Why Did I Consult My Pharmacist about Herbal and Dietary Supplements? An Online Survey Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

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Listed:
  • Mohd Shahezwan Abd Wahab

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam, Puncak Alam 42300, Malaysia
    Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, Smart Manufacturing Research Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam, Puncak Alam 42300, Malaysia)

  • Muhammad Mustaqim Jalani

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam, Puncak Alam 42300, Malaysia)

  • Khang Wen Goh

    (Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia)

  • Long Chiau Ming

    (PAP Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei)

  • Erwin Martinez Faller

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, San Pedro College, Davao City 8000, Philippines)

Abstract

Herbal and dietary supplements (HDSs) are frequently obtained from community pharmacies, but community pharmacists (CPs) have been underutilized for information regarding them. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of, factors behind, and reasons for consultation with CPs among HDS consumers in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted among conveniently sampled individuals in Malaysia. Reasons for consultation or non-consultation with CPs about HDSs were sought from the respondents. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of consultation with CPs. Overall, 40.3% (239/593) of participants consulted CPs about the HDSs that they purchased. The participants were predominantly unmarried (362/588, 61.6%) and belonged to the 18–29 age group (332/593, 56%). The multivariate analysis showed that a suburban residential setting was the only significant predictor for consultation with CPs (adjusted odds ratio = 0.390, 95% CI = 0.260–0.583). Respondents who consulted CPs generally agreed that the CPs were the right people to consult on HDSs (mean = 4.37, SD = 0.73). However, their discussion with CPs regarding HDSs mostly revolved around the benefits and directions for use, but little on the potential risks. Meanwhile, most respondents who did not consult CPs agreed that they had never thought of consulting CPs about their HDS use (mean = 3.45, SD = 1.02). The majority of them referred to the Internet (61.3%, 217/354) and social media (59.9%, 212/354) for information about HDSs. The findings from this study show that more efforts are warranted in encouraging consumers to consult CPs about their HDS use and to enhance their awareness of the roles of CPs in ensuring the safe use of HDSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohd Shahezwan Abd Wahab & Muhammad Mustaqim Jalani & Khang Wen Goh & Long Chiau Ming & Erwin Martinez Faller, 2022. "Why Did I Consult My Pharmacist about Herbal and Dietary Supplements? An Online Survey Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10994-:d:905329
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nor Azian Mohd Zaki & Mohd Naim Rasidi & S Maria Awaluddin & Tee Guat Hiong & Hasimah Ismail & Noor Safiza Mohamad Nor, 2018. "Prevalence and Characteristic of Dietary Supplement Users in Malaysia: Data From the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2014," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(12), pages 127-127, December.
    2. Lupton, Deborah, 1997. "Consumerism, reflexivity and the medical encounter," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 373-381, August.
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    1. Mohd Shahezwan Abd Wahab & Nurfarah Nadiah Abd Hamid & Ali Omar Yassen & Mohd Javed Naim & Javed Ahamad & Nur Wahida Zulkifli & Farhana Fakhira Ismail & Muhammad Harith Zulkifli & Khang Wen Goh & Long, 2022. "How Internet Websites Portray Herbal Vitality Products Containing Eurycoma longifolia Jack : An Evaluation of the Quality and Risks of Online Information," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.

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