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Table 3 Reasons for HDS use and information sources (n=189)

From: Prevalence of herbal and dietary supplement usage in Thai outpatients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional survey

 

Frequency

Percentage

Reasons (n=317)*

  

  Family/friend’s recommendation

111

35.0

  HDS will work

71

22.4

  Willing to try anything that helps

61

19.2

  Prefer to use HDS

34

10.7

  Health care provider’s recommendation

21

6.6

  Safer than conventional medicines

9

2.8

  Easy access

5

1.6

  Recommended by traditional practitioners or HDS sellers

2

0.7

  Experienced adverse effects from conventional medicines

2

0.7

  Recommended by other patients with CKD

1

0.3

Information sources (n=222)*

  

  Family and friends

115

51.8

  TV, radio or internet

50

22.5

  Health care providers

12

5.4

  Books or newspapers

12

5.4

  Traditional practitioners

8

3.6

  HDS companies

7

3.1

  Leaflets from HDS companies

7

3.1

  Own knowledge of HDS

7

3.1

  Other patients with CKD

2

1.0

  Scientific evidence

2

1.0

  1. * Respondents reported more than one reason and more than one information source, so these total more than 189.