Measuring the Knowledge and Behaviors of University Students Toward Rational Use of Herbal Supplement Products in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study was planned to measure the knowledge and behavior of university students toward the rational use of herbal supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Methods: It was carried out with students from Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences and Health Services Vocational School. The study used a descriptive design and was completed with 640 students who volunteered to participate in the study. The data were collected by using a questionnaire including questions about students’ rational use of herbal supplements according to their gender, faculty, the status of having had COVID-19 viral infection, and the status of having received education on pharmacology and medicinal plant products. Counts, mean scores, and percentage values were used in the evaluation of the data.
 Results: It was found that 15.5% of the participants were from the Faculty of Health Sciences and their mean age was 20.8±2.84 years and that 84.5% were from the Health Vocational School and their mean age was 21.42±3.87 years. The rate of having had COVID-19 viral infection among students was 22.7%, having received pharmacology education was 75.5%, and having received education on medicinal plant products was 46.3%.
 Conclusion: It was found that the pharmacology and medicinal plant products education received by the students studying health significantly affected the rational use of herbal supplements and that students should be given more education on phytotherapy.