Evaluating knowledge, habits, and beliefs regarding dietary supplements as a protective measure against COVID-19 in Malaysia and Iraq: A postsecond wave cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought to the forefront various public health approaches, including the consumption of dietary supplements (DS) as a protective measure. With misinformation regarding the virus and the associated benefits of DS prevalent, this study aimed to understand knowledge, habits, and beliefs related to DS usage as a protective measure during the pandemic in Malaysia and Iraq, two countries with deep-rooted traditions in herbal and supplement usage.

METHODS: A cross-sectional research study was conducted between September 2021 and March 2022 using a validated online survey. The participants included Malaysians and Iraqis aged 18 years and above who currently consume DS. Using the SurveyMonkey® platform, data were collected from 2425 respondents (response rate = 60.6%), with analysis carried out using SPSS version 28.

RESULTS: Demographically, the sample had an almost equal distribution of Malaysians (51%) and Iraqis (49%), with a mean age of 30.61. The majority had tertiary education (78.6%), and only a fraction had been infected with COVID-19 (26.2%). Concerning knowledge, a significant portion exhibited poor understanding (84.2%) of DS's functioning and implications. Regarding habits, many respondents consumed multivitamins (75.2%), with influence largely coming from peers (23.5%) and product leaflets (46.7%). Belief-wise, about half (49.2%) utilized herbal or supplemental products as a protective measure during the pandemic, with vitamin C with zinc being the most commonly used (45.4%).

CONCLUSION: The study underlines a significant inclination towards DS usage in Malaysia and Iraq, influenced by societal connections and available information. While many believe in the protective capacities of DS against COVID-19, a substantial knowledge gap persists. It emphasizes the need for evidence-based awareness campaigns and policies to guide public health decisions.