Table 2 Mean values of the agreement of the reasons for HM use and results of Welch’s ANOVA comparing the subgroups
Mean (SD) | Subgroup Means (SD) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I Take HM because... | Total sample (n = 2192) | New user (n = 166) | Established user (n = 1482) | Long-term user (n = 544) | Welch’s ANOVA (F ratio) |
Chemically synthesised medicinal products have too many side effects. | 3.5 (1.1) | 3.2 (1.2) | 3.5 (1.1) | 3.6 (1.2) | 5.46** |
Chemically synthesised medicinal products have too strong side effects. | 3.4 (1.1) | 3.1 (1.2) | 3.4 (1.1) | 3.4 (1.2) | 4.77** |
Chemically synthesised medicinal products did not show treatment success. | 2.5 (1.0) | 2.5 (1.0) | 2.5 (1.0) | 2.4 (1.0) | 3.17* |
I was dissatisfied with the conventional medical practitioner. | 2.6 (1.1) | 2.5 (1.2) | 2.5 (1.1) | 2.6 (1.2) | .94, n.s. |
In the past, I had positive experiences with herbal medicinal products. | 4.0 (0.9) | 3.5 (1.1) | 4.0 (0.8) | 4.2 (0.8) | 43.32*** |
They have had a positive impact on my health. | 3.9 (0.9) | 3.4 (1.9) | 3.8 (0.8) | 4.1 (0.8) | 33.16*** |
They are healthier than chemically synthesised medicinal products. | 3.9 (1.0) | 3.7 (1.1) | 3.9 (1.0) | 4.0 (1.0) | 4.72** |
They are more natural than chemically synthesised medicinal products. | 4.1 (0.9) | 3.8 (1.0) | 4.0 (0.9) | 4.2 (0.9) | 13.62*** |
They have a higher tolerability than chemically synthesised medicinal products. | 3.8 (1.0) | 3.6 (1.0) | 3.8 (1.0) | 3.9 (1.0) | 5.27** |
They have fewer side effects than chemically synthesised medicinal products. | 3.9 (1.0) | 3.7 (1.1) | 4.0 (0.9) | 4.0 (1.0) | 4.08* |
I trust HM more than chemically synthesised medicinal products. | 3.2 (1.1) | 3.0 (1.1) | 3.2 (1.1) | 3.3 (1.2) | 5.31** |
In my family we have always used HM. | 3.3 (1.1) | 2.8 (1.2) | 3.1 (1.1) | 3.8 (1.0) | 89.66*** |
I am very familiar with herbal medicinal products since my childhood. | 3.3 (1.2) | 2.6 (1.2) | 3.0 (1.2) | 4.2 (0.8) | 381.25*** |