Usage of herbal medicines among the elderly in a primary care unit in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly is high, and some use herbal medicines instead of, or together with, conventional medicine. Herbal medicine usage may cause adverse events. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of herbal medicine usage among the elderly attending a primary care unit (PCU) of Songklanagarind Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, and associated factors, reasons for use, principles considered before use, perceived effects, and history of consultation with medical professionals concerning their herbal medicine usage. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of elderly patients who visited the PCU. Questionnaires were used to obtain data. RESULTS: We included 204 patients who met the eligibility criteria. About two-thirds were women, with a median age of 69.0 years. Most had underlying diseases and were educated. The all time prevalence of herbal medicine usage was 60.8%. Being educated was significantly associated with herbal medicine usage. Among 124 users, 79% did not consider any principles for safe use of herbal medicine, 63% had no knowledge of possible interactions with conventional medicines, and 73% had never been asked about their use of herbal medicines by their health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of herbal medicine usage among the elderly Thai patients attending the PCU, especially by the educated. The majority did not consider the principles for safe use of herbal medicine. Health care providers should be more aware of herbal medicine usage and should increase their role in initiating a discussion about herbal medicine usage with elderly patients.