Tangkiatkumjai Mayuree, Boardman Helen, Walker Dawn-Marie
J Complement Integr Med. 2014 Sep;11(3):203-11. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2013-0016.
People living in Asian countries including Thailand are likely to use herbal and dietary supplements (HDS). However, there is limited evidence of their usage in Thailand. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of HDS usage amongst a general population in Bangkok; (2) patterns of HDS use; (3) reasons why Bangkok residents use HDS.
This cross-sectional survey recruited 400 Thai people aged 15 years or over at busy bus stops in Bangkok, Thailand, using convenience sampling. Data were collected via an interview regarding demographics, HDS usage and reasons of using HDS. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, were used to analyse the prevalence and the patterns of HDS use.
The prevalence of HDS usage in the previous 6 months was 52%. The majority of people who took herbs used them to treat illnesses (58%), whereas the majority of people who took dietary supplements used them to promote well-being (65%). Respondents reported using HDS due to their efficacy (28%), wanting to try them (26%) and safety concerns with conventional medicines (15%).
Health care providers should be aware of HDS use amongst Thai residents in Bangkok. Policy makers should educate people about appropriate HDS use.
包括泰国在内的亚洲国家居民可能会使用草药和膳食补充剂（HDS）。然而，在泰国，关于其使用情况的证据有限。本研究的目的是确定：（1）曼谷普通人群中HDS的使用 prevalence；（2）HDS的使用模式；（3）曼谷居民使用HDS的原因。
本横断面调查采用便利抽样方法，在泰国曼谷繁忙的公交站点招募了400名15岁及以上的泰国人。通过访谈收集有关人口统计学、HDS使用情况及使用原因的数据。使用描述性统计，如频率和百分比，来分析HDS的使用 prevalence和模式。
过去6个月中HDS的使用 prevalence为52%。大多数服用草药的人用其治疗疾病（58%），而大多数服用膳食补充剂的人用其促进健康（65%）。受访者报告使用HDS的原因包括其 efficacy（28%）、想尝试（26%）以及对传统药物的安全担忧（15%）。
医疗保健提供者应了解曼谷泰国居民中HDS的使用情况。政策制定者应教育人们正确使用HDS。
