Fear of COVID-19 and the Media Influence on Herbal Medication Use in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

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dc.contributor.authorMusoke, Phillip
dc.contributor.authorNantaayi, Brandy
dc.contributor.authorKato Ndawula, Rodney
dc.contributor.authorWannyana, Babrah
dc.contributor.authorSsewante, Nelson
dc.contributor.authorWekha, Godfrey
dc.contributor.authorOlum, Ronald
dc.contributor.authorNakyagaba, Lourita
dc.contributor.authorNassozi, Dianah Rhoda
dc.contributor.authorNabukeera, Germinah
dc.contributor.authorKanyike, Andrew Marvin
dc.contributor.authorOjilong, Daniel
dc.contributor.authorMadut Akech, Gabriel
dc.contributor.authorKajjimu, Jonathan
dc.contributor.authorKiwumulo, Joshua
dc.contributor.authorAgira, Drake
dc.contributor.authorOkot, Jerom
dc.contributor.authorBongomin, Felix
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-22T16:33:32Z
dc.date.available2023-01-22T16:33:32Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created fear in people around the world. This has led to the widespread use of various herbal remedies in its prevention and treatment regardless of the paucity of scientific evidence about their safety and efficacy. This study assessed the fear of COVID-19 and the influence of media on the use of herbal medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19 in Uganda. Methods: In the first 2 weeks of July 2021, a descriptive online cross-sectional study was carried out anonymously in the general population in Uganda. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on herbal medicine use and the influence of media. Fear of COVID-19 was rated using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Results: We recruited 488 participants, 273 (55.9%) were female, with a median age of 25 (range: 18–73) years. Sixty-seven (57.8%) participants had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The mean FCV-19S score was 21.7 SD 5.9 with 53.3% reporting high levels of COVID-19 fear. About 57.4% of participants reported using herbal remedies either to prevent or treat COVID-19-like symptoms. Media was the main source of information, with more than 80% of the participants reporting seeing or accessing information about herbal medication use. Women (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.74, 95% CI: 1.2–2.5, p=0.003) and people with a previously confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (aOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.35–7.14, p=0.008) had a statistically significantly higher FCV-19S score. Being unemployed (aOR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3, p=0.008) and a female (aOR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3, p=0.012) were statistically significantly associated with herbal medicine use. Participants who used herbal remedies had a higher median FCV-19S score compared to non-users (23 versus 21, p<0.001). Conclusion: The use of herbal medicines to treat or prevent COVID-19 is a widespread practice among the general population in Uganda amidst the high levels of fear of COVID-19.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMusoke, P., Nantaayi, B., Kato Ndawula, R., Wannyana, B., Ssewante, N., Wekha, G., ... & Bongomin, F. (2021). Fear of COVID-19 and the media influence on herbal medication use in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 3965-3975. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S332325en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S332325
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/7112
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherRisk Management and Healthcare Policyen_US
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_US
dc.subjectFearen_US
dc.subjectMediaen_US
dc.subjectHerbal medicineen_US
dc.subjectHealth awarenessen_US
dc.titleFear of COVID-19 and the Media Influence on Herbal Medication Use in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Studyen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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