ArticlePloS one2021
A public survey of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine use during the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Patient-physician communication on herbal medicine use during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ global health · 2024Pooled it
- A systematic review of self-medication practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for pharmacy practice in supporting public health measures.Frontiers in public health · 2023Pooled it
- Use of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Frontiers in medicine · 2022Pooled it
- Prevalence of self-medication with vitamin or mineral supplements in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC nutrition · 2025Article
- Patterns of self-medication and intention to seek pharmacist guidance among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Macao: a cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Detecting microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer using Transformer-based colonoscopy image classification and retrieval.PloS one · 2024Article
- Use of integrative and complementary practices in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.PloS one · 2024Article
- Usage of Natural Health Products (NHPs) for respiratory diseases: user characteristics and NHP-Consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2023Article
- Experiences and challenges of African traditional medicine: lessons from COVID-19 pandemic.BMJ global health · 2023Article
- The use of herbal and dietary supplements for COVID-19 prevention: A survey among the public in a Malaysian suburban town.Journal of herbal medicine · 2023Article
- Modulation ofJournal of natural products · 2023Article
- Traditional medicine users in a treated chronic disease population: a cross-sectional study in Indonesia.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2023Article
- Article
- Use of home remedies for the treatment and prevention of coronavirus disease: An integrative review.Health science reports · 2023Article
- The relationship between individuals' use of complementary and alternative medicine during the pandemic in Turkey and their attitudes towards perceived COVID-19 risk.European journal of integrative medicine · 2022Article
- The use of Andrographis paniculata and its effects on liver biochemistry of patients with gastrointestinal problems in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- Why Did I Consult My Pharmacist about Herbal and Dietary Supplements? An Online Survey Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Phytotherapy and Dietotherapy of COVID-19-An Online Survey Results from Central Part of Balkan Peninsula.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions for COVID-19: An overview of systematic reviews.Integrative medicine research · 2022Review
- Consumption of Herbal Supplements or Homeopathic Remedies to Prevent COVID-19 and Intention of Vaccination for COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean.Tropical medicine and infectious disease · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDuring COVID-19, the public actively sought non-pharmacological and self-management approaches to prevent infection. Little is known on the use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) by the public as preventive measures. This study investigated the prevalence and patterns of TCIM use during the pandemic, and identified factors associated with its use among the general population in Hong Kong.
methodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted from November to December 2020. The survey solicited information on the respondents' sociodemographic characteristics, risk perception of the pandemic, and use of TCIM before and during the pandemic. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors of TCIM use.
resultsIn total, 632 responses (completion rate = 88.1%) were analyzed. TCIM was used by 44.0% of respondents during the pandemic. The most popular forms of TCIM were vitamins or other dietary supplements (n = 160, 25.3%) and Chinese herbal medicine (n = 122, 19.3%) during the pandemic. The most frequently reported indication was strengthening the immune system, especially for vitamins or other dietary supplements (n = 142/160, 88.8%). Respondents who reported using TCIM were more likely to be female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29-2.59), had higher education attainment (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.39-3.59), and older-aged (age >55 years: aOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.04-3.02). Respondents who resided in districts with moderate to high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.07-2.42) and had a higher level of risk perception (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.07) were also more likely to use TCIM.
conclusionTCIM was used commonly in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. While vaccination and social distancing remain the mainstay of controlling the pandemic, professional bodies should proactively consider public preferences and provide information regarding the effectiveness and safety of TCIM for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
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