title: Assessment of patients' perceptions and beliefs regarding herbal therapies.
abstract: We evaluated the demographics and beliefs regarding safety and efficacy of herbal therapy among individuals in Iowa and assessed the willingness to discuss the use of these products with health care providers. We distributed 1300 surveys to two random samples: patients attending eight clinics, and residents of the state (mailing). Data were categorized according to herb use and compared between users and nonusers. The response rate was 61% (794 people), with 41.6% of respondents reporting herb use. They were predominately white women and were likely to have had education beyond high school (p<0.05). Their use of prescription drugs was high (p<0.05). Although users rated safety and efficacy of herbs higher than nonusers (p<0.05), both groups believed that health care providers should be aware of use and would provide this information.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Klepser
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Doucette
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Buys
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hoehns
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kautzman
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Logemann
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Swegle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ritho
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Klepser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires