Factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants for the prevention of COVID-19 in peruvian population: a cross-sectional study. / Factores asociados con el consumo de plantas medicinales para la prevención de COVID-19 en población peruana: un estudio transversal.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES. Motivation for the study. No study conclusively recommends the use of medicinal plants to treat COVID-19 symptoms, and their indiscriminate use may present health risks. Main findings. Sixty percent of participants consumed medicinal plants to prevent COVID-19. This was particularly true for those living in the Peruvian highlands and individuals with family members diagnosed or deceased from COVID-19, who perceive a higher risk of infection and use medications or chlorine dioxide as preventive measures. Implications. Communication strategies emphasizing validated preventive practices and educating about the risks of consuming medicinal plants should be tailored to the predominant characteristics of the consumer. Determine the factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants as a preventive measure against COVID-19 in the Peruvian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A population over 18 years of age, living in Peru and without a history of COVID-19 disease, was evaluated. The factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants were evaluated using a Poisson regression model with robust variances. RESULTS. Of the 3231 participants included, 84.6% were young adults (18-29 years old), 62.7% were women, and 59.7% consumed a medicinal plant to prevent COVID-19 infection. The factors associated with the consumption of medicinal plants to prevent COVID-19 infection were residing in the Peruvian highlands, having had a family member diagnosed with COVID-19, having had a family member die from COVID-19, considering their family to be at increased risk of infection, having used medications or chlorine dioxide to prevent COVID-19, having medical information as the main source of information about COVID-19, thinking that medicinal plants are effective in preventing COVID-19 disease, or not being informed about their effectiveness. CONCLUSION. Sixty percent of the participants reported having consumed a medicinal plant to prevent COVID-19. Authorities must apply communication strategies about the implications of consuming medicinal plants, prioritizing population groups with higher consumption patterns.

RESUMEN

OBJETIVOS: Motivación para realizar el estudio. Ningún estudio recomienda de manera concluyente el uso de plantas medicinales para tratar los síntomas de la COVID-19, y su uso indiscriminado puede presentar riesgos para la salud. Principales hallazgos. El 60% de los participantes utilizó plantas medicinales para la prevención de la COVID-19. Especialmente aquellos de la sierra peruana y personas con familiares diagnosticados o fallecidos por COVID-19, que perciben mayores riesgos de contagio y utilizan medicamentos o dióxido de cloro como medidas preventivas. Implicancias. Las estrategias de comunicación esenciales para las prácticas preventivas validadas y la educación sobre los riesgos del consumo de plantas medicinales deben adaptarse a las características predominantes del consumidor. Determinar los factores asociados al consumo de plantas medicinales como prevención de la COVID-19 en la población peruana. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se evaluó población mayor de 18 años, residentes en Perú y sin antecedentes de enfermedad por COVID-19. Los factores asociados al consumo de plantas medicinales se evaluaron mediante un modelo de regresión de Poisson con varianzas robustas. RESULTADOS. De 3231 participantes incluidos, el 84,6% eran jóvenes (18-29 años), el 62,7% eran mujeres y el 59,7% consumía alguna planta medicinal para prevenir la COVID-19. Los factores asociados al consumo de plantas medicinales para prevenir el contagio de COVID-19 fueron residir en la sierra peruana, haber tenido un familiar diagnosticado con COVID-19, haber tenido un familiar fallecido por COVID-19, considerar que su familia se encuentra en mayor riesgo de infección, haber usado medicamentos o dióxido de cloro para prevenir la COVID-19, tener información médica como principal fuente de información sobre la COVID-19, pensar que las plantas medicinales son efectivas para prevenir la enfermedad COVID-19 o no estar informado sobre su eficacia. CONCLUSIÓN: . El 60% de los participantes reportó haber consumido alguna planta medicinal para prevenir la COVID-19. Es importante que las autoridades apliquen estrategias de comunicación sobre lo que implica el consumo de plantas medicinales, priorizando los grupos poblacionales que tienen mayores patrones de consumo.