| dc.description.abstract | The utilization of herbal products as medicine can be traced back to ancient
Assyrians, Egyptians, Chinese, and Indians. The demand for herbal medicine is
increasing due to the need to boost immunity. This study assessed the prevalence of
herbal medicine utilization, attitude towards herbal medicine, and associated
factors regarding the total attitude score among undergraduates of KIU university
against COVID-19. The descriptive cross-sectional study with a convenience
sampling method comprised 350 students. The study was conducted from August
2021 to May 2022. An online pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used
to collect data after obtaining ethical approval (KIU/ERC/21/86). Data were
analyzed using SPSS version 25, and all hypotheses were tested at the 5%
significance level. Values for the total score of attitudes were defined and modified
as poor (below33%), average (34%-66%), and good (above 67%), respectively.
88.7% of respondents believed herbal products could be utilized as a prophylaxis,
and the majority (76.5%) supposed herbal products should be included in
mainstream treatment against COVID-19. However, 52.7% had a poor attitude
towards herbal products utilization as immune boosters. The academic year
(p=0.045), degree programme (p=0.000), and marital status (p=0.005) in sociodemographic
factors were associated with the total attitude score. Some herbal
remedies demonstrated high utility (Ginger tea 79.3% and coriander tea 60.6%)
among respondents. In conclusion, despite a poor attitude score, respondents
believed herbal medication could be used as an immune booster against COVID-19,
and herbal products should be included in mainstream treatment against COVID-19
in Sri Lanka. | en_US |
