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The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the World Health Organization’s recent declaration of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons learned from the outbreak remain crucial for future public health responses. In Thailand, the pandemic’s impact led individuals to explore self-protection methods, including potentially ineffective health products. This study examined the prevalence of health and herbal products used for COVID-19 self-prevention, to identify the types of these products in use and to identify factors influencing their utilization.

Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 400 Thai participants aged 25–60 who had never contracted COVID-19. The study employed convenience sampling and self-administered online questionnaires based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework from January to February 2022. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square test were used for data analysis.

Results: Of the 400 respondents (average age: 39.53 ± 10.96 year), 63.75% were female, 76.5% lived with family and 45.75% used health and herbal products for COVID-19 prevention, with top choices being Andrographis paniculata (13.66%), Kaempferia galanga (12.29%), and Zingiber officinale (7.77%). Regarding the TPB, attitudes were undecided (46.5%), subjective norms were agreeable (60%), perceived behavioral control (PBC) was agreeable (63.5%), and behavioral intention inclined to use (43.25%). Theoretical correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between attitude and intention (r = 0.688, P < 0.001), subjective norms and intention (r = 0.711, P < 0.001), PBC and intention (r = 0.275, P < 0.001), and intention and behavior (r = 0.431, P < 0.001). In contrast, PBC demonstrated weak negative correlation with behavior (r = −0.192, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: During the pandemic, 45.75% selected health and herbal products for selfprevention, with A. paniculata being the most favored. Subjective norms significantly influenced behavioral intention. The research emphasizes the key role of pharmacist and healthcare professional guidance in health crises for the appropriate use of health and herbal products.

DOI

10.56808/3027-7922.3002

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