Prevalence of the use of herbal products in a low-income population.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the prevalence of herb/supplement use in a low-income population and determined the providers' level of knowledge about herbs/supplements.


METHODS
Adult English-speaking patients seen at a rural family practice residency clinic were offered an anonymous survey. Another survey was developed for the clinic providers. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test.


RESULTS
Fifty-six percent of a low-income population use herbs/supplements; 41% of all users cited friends or relatives as their main source of information, and 53% of users had not informed their provider. In the provider survey, 69% of the providers indicated that they had received no education about herbs/supplements, yet 71% were asked about them by patients at least twice a month.


CONCLUSIONS
Because herb/supplement use occurs across all demographic groups, all patients should be questioned about their use of such substances. Currently, few providers are prepared to guide their patients about herbs/supplements. Efforts should be made to educate health care providers about common herbs/supplements.
Planta
M
M
Family Practice Residency Program, San Joaquin General Hospital, Stockton, Calif., USA. mplanta@pol.net
Gundersen
B
B
Petitt
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D005194:Family Practice / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D011203:Poverty
D010936:Plant Extracts