Public awareness, patterns of use and attitudes toward natural health products in Kuwait: a cross-sectional survey.

Abdelmoneim Awad,Dana Al-Shaye

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-105

Abdelmoneim Awad, Dana Al-Shaye

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-105

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Abstract

BackgroundThere has been a global rise in the use of natural health products (NHPs). Proper regulation of NHPs is pivotal to ensure good quality control standards, enhance consumers' safety and facilitate their integration into modern healthcare systems. There is scarcity of published data on the prevalence of NHPs usage among the general Kuwaiti population. Hence, this study was designed to determine awareness, patterns of use, general attitude and information requirements about NHPs among the public in Kuwait.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed using a pretested self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 1300 Kuwaiti individuals, selected from six governorates in Kuwait using a multistage stratified clustered sampling. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 90.2%. NHPs were thought to be herbal remedies by most of participants (63.5%), followed by vitamins/minerals (40.5%), traditional medicines (21.1%), probiotics (14.9%), amino acids and essential fatty acids (7.2%), and homeopathic medicines (5.6%). NHPs usage was reported by 71.4% (95% CI: 68.8-74.0%) of respondents, and mostly associated with females (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.44-2.51). Herbal remedies were the most commonly used (41.3%; 95% CI: 38.5-44.2%). The most common reasons for using NHPs were to promote and maintain health and to prevent illness and build immune system. Family members and/or friends and mass media were the main sources for providing information about NHPs. About 18% of consumers have experienced a side effect due to using a NHP. Attitudes toward NHPs were generally positive; with more than 75% of participants believing that the Ministry of Health in Kuwait should regulate the claims made by the manufacturers of NHPs and it is important to talk to a medical doctor or a pharmacist prior to using NHPs. Most of the respondents showed increased interest to acquire knowledge about different types of information related to NHPs.ConclusionsThe prevalence of use of NHPs among Kuwaiti population is high. The present findings have major public health policy implications for Kuwait. Therefore, there is an apparent need to establish effective health education programs and implement better and more regulated NHPs use policies in Kuwait.

Highlights

There has been a global rise in the use of natural health products (NHPs)
Respondents generally agreed on the following statements: i) the Ministry of Health in Kuwait should regulate the claims made by the manufacturers of Natural health products (NHPs) (n = 962; 82.0%), ii) it is important to talk to a medical doctor or a pharmacist before using NHPs (n = 890; 75.9%), iii) NHPs can be used to promote and maintain
The current results would be the first step in providing a quantitative measurement of the prevalence, socio-cultural and personal factors underlying an individual’s decision to use a NHP in Kuwait, and could be utilized in designing educational campaigns to promote the safe use of NHPs and to minimize risks associated with their usage among the general population

Summary

Introduction

There has been a global rise in the use of natural health products (NHPs). Proper regulation of NHPs is pivotal to ensure good quality control standards, enhance consumers' safety and facilitate their integration into modern healthcare systems. Natural health products (NHPs) are defined as “vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines, probiotics, and other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids” [1]. They are made from ingredients found in nature that are promoted for use to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease; restore or correct function; or maintain or promote health [2]. The prevalence of CAM usage among children and adolescents in Wales was found to be 38.0%, with vitamins/minerals and herbal therapies being the most commonly used [21]. The analysis of studies conducted in Europe during the last 10 years showed that over 100 million of the citizens are CAM users [22]

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