A Questionnaire Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Herbal Medications Among Syrians

Access to medicines is an essential aspect of healthcare and vital to human well-being. It is necessary to understand people's awareness of the importance of using medications to maintain their health. This study aimed to assess the level of understanding regarding the use of herbal medicines compared to synthetic medications in Syria through a distributed questionnaire. 66.5% of participants were female. 63.5% of the participants were aged between 18 and 25 years. In terms of education, 82% of participants had university degrees. Students comprise the largest professional group, representing 62% of participants. 54.5% live in the city, and 58.5% do not belong to the medical or health sector. The percentage of prior knowledge or direct experience with herbal medicine is low, indicating a lack of knowledge about alternative medicine in the community. Many participants also expressed their confidence in these medications, particularly for treating minor conditions such as colds and respiratory disorders. However, the results also do not reflect awareness of the potential risks of using alternative or opposing herbal medicines, including interactions with chemical medications. Participants used non-scientific sources of information, such as the internet or personal experiences, which is a real development of these medications to stimulate and enhance their effectiveness.