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Evaluating knowledge, habits, and beliefs regarding dietary supplements as a protective measure against COVID‐19 in Malaysia and Iraq: A postsecond wave cross‐sectional analysis
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Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan ,
Ali Blebil ,
Juman Al-Dujaili ,
Abdulrasool M. Wayyes,
Osama Ayad Abdulhamid,
Humam Saadi Salih,
Watheq Mohammed AL‐Jewari,
Hawar Sardar Hassan,
Angelina Lim
Health Science Reports, Volume: 7, Issue: 2
Swansea University Authors:
Ali Blebil , Juman Al-Dujaili
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DOI (Published version): 10.1002/hsr2.1865
Abstract
Background and AimsThe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought to the forefront various public health approaches, including the consumption of dietary supplements (DS) as a protective measure. With misinformation regarding the virus and the associated benefits of DS prevalent, this stu...
| Published in: | Health Science Reports |
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| ISSN: | 2398-8835 2398-8835 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2024
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65648 |
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| Abstract: |
Background and AimsThe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought to the forefront various public health approaches, including the consumption of dietary supplements (DS) as a protective measure. With misinformation regarding the virus and the associated benefits of DS prevalent, this study aimed to understand knowledge, habits, and beliefs related to DS usage as a protective measure during the pandemic in Malaysia and Iraq, two countries with deep-rooted traditions in herbal and supplement usage.MethodsA cross-sectional research study was conducted between September 2021 and March 2022 using a validated online survey. The participants included Malaysians and Iraqis aged 18 years and above who currently consume DS. Using the SurveyMonkey® platform, data were collected from 2425 respondents (response rate = 60.6%), with analysis carried out using SPSS version 28.ResultsDemographically, the sample had an almost equal distribution of Malaysians (51%) and Iraqis (49%), with a mean age of 30.61. The majority had tertiary education (78.6%), and only a fraction had been infected with COVID-19 (26.2%). Concerning knowledge, a significant portion exhibited poor understanding (84.2%) of DS's functioning and implications. Regarding habits, many respondents consumed multivitamins (75.2%), with influence largely coming from peers (23.5%) and product leaflets (46.7%). Belief-wise, about half (49.2%) utilized herbal or supplemental products as a protective measure during the pandemic, with vitamin C with zinc being the most commonly used (45.4%).ConclusionThe study underlines a significant inclination towards DS usage in Malaysia and Iraq, influenced by societal connections and available information. While many believe in the protective capacities of DS against COVID-19, a substantial knowledge gap persists. It emphasizes the need for evidence-based awareness campaigns and policies to guide public health decisions. |
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| Keywords: |
beliefs, COVID‐19, dietary supplement, habits, knowledge |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
School of Pharmacy, Monash UniversityMalaysia, via Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacyEducation Research, Grant/Award Number:21‐06/SOP/HOS‐0010 |
| Issue: |
2 |