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A cross-sectional survey of self-medication with Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment and prevention of COVID-19

Lin Y 1 , Cai CZ 2 , Alias H 3 , Wong LP 4 , Hu Z 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, China
  • 2 Hospital Sultanah Aminah, 80100, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • 3 Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, China; Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. Electronic address: wonglp@ummc.edu.my
  • 5 Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, China. Electronic address: huzhijian@fjmu.edu.cn
Complement Ther Med, 2022 Dec;71:102898.
PMID: 36372316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102898

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate user behavioural profiles and the prevalence of self-medication with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for COVID-19 among the general public in China.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Self-administered online survey was carried out between January and June 2021 in China.

RESULTS: A total of 1132 complete responses were received from a nationwide sample. A considerable proportion viewed TCM to be more effective than Western medicine for treating COVID-19 (67.1 %) and stated that it is safer to use TCM (63.5 %) and easier to access TCM for treating COVID-19 (63.5 %). A total of 16.4 % (95 %CI 14.3-18.7) reported ever self-medicating with TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms and 12.2 % (95 % CI 10.3-14.2) ever using TCM to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule (53.2 %), Ganmao granule (50.5 %) and Banlangen granule (44.6 %) were most commonly used to resolve COVID-19 symptoms whereas Banlangen granule (60.1 %) was commonly used for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Older age participants, from rural areas, with chronic diseases, higher socioeconomic status, and a positive attitude towards TCM were more likely to self-medicate using TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Self-medication with TCM during the COVID-19 pandemic for symptom control or prevention is prevalent. The findings of the user behavioural profile and types of TMCs commonly used in this study provide beneficial information for the development of strategies to improve public health-seeking behaviour and the performance of the country's healthcare system in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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