Use of and attitudes towards herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Vietnam

Phuc Hung Nguyen; Van De Tran; Duy Toan Pham; Tran Nhat Phong Dao; Rebecca Susan Dewey

doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2021.101328

Use of and attitudes towards herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Vietnam

Eur J Integr Med. 2021 Jun:44:101328. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2021.101328. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Authors

Phuc Hung Nguyen¹, Van De Tran^{1

2}, Duy Toan Pham³, Tran Nhat Phong Dao², Rebecca Susan Dewey⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Drug Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 179 Nguyen Van Cu, Can Tho 900000, Viet Nam.
² Department of Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 179 Nguyen Van Cu, Can Tho 900000, Viet Nam.
³ Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Can Tho University, Campus II, 3/2 Street, Can Tho 900000, Viet Nam.
⁴ Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Introduction: Herbal medicine has a long and rich history of practice in Vietnam. The use and attitudes towards herbal medicine, during the COVID-19 pandemic was explored in this study. The aims were to examine (1) the prevalence and indications for herbal medicine use, (2) the factors associated with herbal medicine use, and (3) Vietnamese peoples' attitudes towards herbal medicine.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Vietnamese adults aged 18 years and older, distributed equally across the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of Vietnam, between September and October 2020. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to achieve the study objectives.

Results: Nearly half of the respondents reported using herbal medicine for common illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence was strongly associated with marital status, urbanicity, monthly income, and health status perception. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), honey (Mel), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.) were the most commonly used herbal medicines, mainly for the treatment of sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and fever. Nearly 70% of the participants believed herbal medicines to be safe, to have less side effects than conventional medicines, and to be effective for minor health conditions.

Conclusion: The use of herbal medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic was a common practice among Vietnamese people. These findings may have implications for future medical research in Vietnam, and for policy-makers and those in the pharmaceutical industry with regard to future regulations and product development.

Keywords: Attitudes; COVID-19; Common illnesses; Herbal medicine; Use; Vietnam.