Knowledge and Use of Herbal and Nutritional Supplements Among University Faculty, Staff, and Students
The use of alternative therapies such as herbs and nutritional supplements has increased dramatically in recent years. Consumers are self-treating for actual and potential conditions as never before in our history. One in four persons seeking medical care for a serious condition is currently using some form of herbal or nutritional supplement to treat themselves. Only forty percent of those using such products inform their health care provider. The Dietary Supplement, Health and Education Act of 1994 classifies herbs as dietary supplements. This classification provides exemption from FDA approval and allows manufacturers to sell the products without restrictions. For this reason, side effects and drug interactions are largely unknown. The potential for interactions between these products and other over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs is significant. Research which determines the prevalence of the use of herbs and supplements by consumers, the consumers' concurrent health problems and prescription medications, and the potential for consumer endangerment from interactions is needed.
Faculty, staff and students from one urban (14,000 students) and one rural (3,500 students) university were surveyed to determine their actual use of herbs and nutritional supplements; their concurrent health problems; and their use of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Participants were also asked to rate their health status and complete a ten item knowledge questionnaire. Data analysis includes the use of frequency distributions and contingency tables to determine the presence of significant relationships.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the current use of herbal and nutritional supplements among selected University Faculty, Staff and Students. 2. Identify the knowledge level of selected University Faculty, Staff and Students in regards to the use, side effects, and drug interactions of herbs and nutritional supplements. 3. Describe the occurrence of potentially dangerous concurrent use of herbs/nutritional supplements and over-the-counter and prescription drugs among Faculty, Staff and Students in selected Universities.
Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: North Georgia College & State University and Kennesaw University, both in North Georgia are the two University sites for this research. Their ID as sites will be the only discussion in presentation.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.