title: Use and safety perceptions regarding herbal supplements: a study of older persons in southeast Idaho.
abstract: Herbal supplements (HS) are used by older persons and are often perceived as safe, although there is limited research that examines why this perception exists. A questionnaire was developed and pilot tested to investigate the use and perceived safety of HS among a convenience sample of 112 adults aged 60 to 92 in southeast Idaho. Fifty-five percent of the participants (n = 62) reported using HS in the past. Ninety-five percent (n = 59) of those using HS and 75% (n = 37) of nonusers reported they believed most or some HS were safe. Perception of herbal supplement safety was greatly influenced by family and friends, and HS users had a greater perception of safety than nonusers (p < or = .001). The top reasons for perceived safety given by HS users were that HS: (1) can be purchased without a prescription, (2) can be purchased in many locations, and (3) are natural.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. snyderfr@onid.orst.edu
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dundas
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirkpatrick
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Neill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007061:Idaho; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D028321:Plant Preparations