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

• Published in: Complementary therapies in medicine Vol. 71; p. 102898
• Main Authors: Lin, Yulan, Cai, Carla Zi, Alias, Haridah, Wong, Li Ping, Hu, Zhijian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2022; Elsevier Limited; Published by Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chinese medicine; Chronic infection; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease prevention; Drug self-administration; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use; East Asian People; Health behavior; Herbal medicine; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Pandemics; Prevention; Preventive behaviour; Public health; Rural areas; SARS-CoV-2; Self-medication; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Signs and symptoms; Socioeconomics; Surveys; Traditional Chinese Medicine; China; COVID-19; Self-medication; Preventive behaviour; Traditional Chinese Medicine
• ISSN: 0965-2299; 1873-6963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102898

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. Cross-sectional study. Self-administered online survey was carried out between January and June 2021 in China. 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. 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. •More than half of participants viewed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to be more effective than Western medicine for treating COVID-19 and stated that it is safer to use TCM and easier to access TCM for treating COVID-19.•A total of 16.4 % reported ever self-medicating with TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms and 12.2 % ever using TCM to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.•Several TCMs were also used for treatment or prevention of COVID-19, which were neither recommended in national or regional guidelines.•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.