Table 3. The purpose of use, source of information, and patients’ perception of herbal drugs.
| Purpose of use (n=52) | n (%)* | |
|---|---|---|
| Common cold | 27 (51.9) | |
| General well-being | 10 (19.2) | |
| Relaxation | 4 (7.6) | |
| Disease prevention | 2 (3.8) | |
| Fever | 2 (3.8) | |
| Throat pain | 2 (3.8) | |
| Shortness of breath | 1 (1.9) | |
| Cough | 1 (1.9) | |
| Immunity | 1 (1.9) | |
| Headache | 1 (1.9) | |
| Weight problem | 1 (1.9) | |
| Sources of information | ||
| Internet | 114 (62.3) | |
| Environment (neighbor/relative/friend) | 57 (31.1) | |
| Media (TV, newspaper) | 30 (16.4) | |
| Book magazine | 24 (13.1) | |
| Qualified healthcare professionals (doctor/pharmacist/nurse, etc.) | 0 (0) | |
| What do you think about herbal treatment for ENT treatment? | ||
| Noneffective | 105 (57.4) | |
| Effective | 67 (36.6) | |
| Uncertain | 11 (6) | |
| Did you know that herbal products/drugs may interact with other medicines? | ||
| Yes | 125 (68.3) | |
| No | 42 (22.9) | |
| Sometimes | 16 (8.7) | |
| Did you know that herbal products/drugs also have side (adverse) effects? | ||
| Yes | 121 (66.1) | |
| No | 34 (18.6) | |
| Sometimes | 28 (15.3) | |
*
n (%) is the number and percentage indicating that more than one response was permitted. ENT: ear, nose, and throat.