Table 2 Patterns of and Reasons for Herbal Use Among Urban Multiethnic Primary Care Patients (n = 322)
Variables | White n (%) | Hispanic n (%) | African American n (%) | Asian n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Herbal Use | 28(41.2) | 49(50.0) | 30(22.1) | 10(50.0) |
Daily Herbal Use* | 14(48.3) | 13(22.8) | 13(33.3) | 4(30.8) |
Herbal Use 3+ Years* | 12(41.1) | 45(78.9) | 17(45.9) | 7(53.8) |
Report Taking Herbs and Prescription Medications for the Same Health Problems* | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| Â | 10(33.3) | 36(63.2) | 17(32.7) | 8(57.1) |
Told Physicians/Pharmacists About Herbal Use* | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| Â | 20(66.7) | 17(30.9) | 21(44.7) | 4(30.8) |
Had a Bad Reaction* | 2(7.4) | 1(2.0) | 3(11.1) | 0 |
Believed Both Prescription Medications and Herbal Medicines Are Better Than Either Alone** | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Agree | 32(47.1) | 28(28.6) | 54(40.6) | 11(55.0) |
Disagree | 14(20.6) | 44(44.9) | 48(36.1) | 6(30.0) |
Neither | 22(32.4) | 26(26.5) | 31(23.3) | 3(15) |
Believed Herbal Medicines Are Superior to Prescription Medications*** | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Agree | 8(12.3) | 40(41.2) | 31(23.1) | 6(30.0) |
Disagree | 36(55.4) | 20(20.6) | 62(46.3) | 8(40.0) |
Neither | 21(32.3) | 37(38.1) | 41(30.6) | 6(30.0) |
Received Herbal Information (multiple) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Family or relatives | 20(29.4) | 60(61.2) | 43(31.6) | 10(50.0) |
Magazines | 24(35.3) | 19(19.4) | 38(27.9) | 5(25.0) |
Television | 13(19.1) | 24(24.5) | 45(33.1) | 0 |
Internet | 12(17.7) | 7(7.1) | 9(6.6) | 4(20) |
Physician | 10(14.7) | 8(8.2) | 12(8.8) | 2(10.0) |
Pharmacist | 2(2.9) | 2(2.0) | 6(4.4) | 0 |
Preferred Herbal Information (multiple) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Effectiveness | 53(77.9) | 72(73.5) | 87(64.0) | 9(45.0) |
Side-effects | 42(61.8) | 76(77.6) | 82(60.3) | 12(60.0) |
Interactions | 46(67.7) | 67(68.4) | 75(55.2) | 9(45.0) |
Preferred Method for Obtaining Herbal Information (multiple) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Handout/Brochure | 45(66.2) | 80(81.6) | 84(61.8) | 11(55.0) |
Website | 25(36.8) | 11(11.2) | 20(14.7) | 6(30.0) |
Consultation | 29(42.7) | 20(20.4) | 47(34.6) | 5(25.0) |