INTRODUCTION:

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmits through the respiratory droplets of infected people. Sneezing, coughing, or contact with fomites in the immediate vicinity of an infected person can spread respiratory droplets to healthy people within one meter¹. Health and economic status are significantly impacted by COVID-19, which is associated with high morbidity and death globally². Many other acute respiratory diseases, such as SARS and MERS, share similarities with the clinical symptoms and indications of COVID-19. Fever (98%), tiredness (44%), and dry cough (76%) are the common clinical signs of COVID-19³.

World health organization (WHO) suggests the public to use alcohol-based, hand cleansers to clean or wash hands, and other necessary precautions in limiting the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. To effectively stop the virus from spreading, public health professionals advise social isolation⁴. In line with WHO protocols, Malaysia like rest of the world have also taken up several measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus. For successful implementation of these protective measures, requires commitment from general public in adhering to these measures. However, the adherence is mainly depending on people’s knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms⁵. Although, Malaysia has been very proactive in creating public awareness campaigns in limiting the spread of COVID-19 virus, there is limited data studies to suggest the current knowledge levels of COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms among general public.

Moreover, the scarcity of COVID-19 treatments has sparked widespread concern, prompting a flurry of efforts to find alternate options for preventing the spread of the disease or slowing the progression of the infection, such as focusing more on precautionary action⁶. Human corona virus-related ailments are not specifically treated. Most persons who contract a common human corona virus disease recover on their own⁷. There are yet no particular antiviral medications available to treat COVID-19 infection in humans effectively. Broad spectrum antiviral medications such nucleoside analogues and HIV-protease inhibitors are among the alternatives⁸. Literature suggests that herbal medication and dietary therapy may have effective antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 and be used as preventive measures against COVID-19⁶.

One of the most popular herbs is Ginseng or also called as Panax ginseng can regulate the body immune cell function, such as B lymphocyte and T lymphocyte, dendritic cells, and NK cells⁹.

Apart from fresh ginseng, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been proven to exert higher medicinal therapy and stability. In addition, allium sativum or well-known as garlic is a strong herbal immune stimulator. It is popular due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, anticancer activities and it is found to be efficient against viruses. Intriguingly, it was observed that in COVID-19 patients, the use of garlic was associated with the reverse the dysfunction of immune system. Thus, it may be one of the preventive measures by enhancing immune system and suppress proinflammatory secretion¹⁰. Even though it has not been scientifically established that the use of ginger and other plants or herbs is a cure for the COVID-19 virus, people's doubts and fear still make them depend on the use of these plants¹¹.

To date, there are still limited research on the knowledge and belief towards the usage of herbal product around the globe since the COVID-19 outbreak is still occurring approximately for a year. A survey in Saudi Arabia performed to measure the knowledge and belief of their citizens towards the usage of herbal medicine during this pandemic with reveals that the 22.1% of the participants consumed herbal medicine or nutritional supplements during this pandemic. Interestingly, 34.4% of the participant trust that by consuming garlic will boost their immune system thus lessen the chance to get infected. Malaysia has one of the richest biodiversity and have nearly 2 000 species of plants that can be locally found recorded to possess therapeutic benefits¹². Keeping in view the recent surge in utilization of herbal products in Malaysia, the current study was aimed to assess the knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms, and belief on herbal supplement as protective measure during COVID-19 pandemic among general public in Malaysia.

METHODOLOGY:

The current study was designed as self-administered, a cross-sectional survey that was distributed online to general public in Malaysia. The inclusion criteria included individuals able to read and understand English or Malay, and willing to participate in the study. The sampling method used to decide the sample collection in this study was convenience-sampling method. This is a non-probability sampling method in which the samples meet the criteria such as easily accessible, availability of the person and willingness to participate¹³. Furthermore, sample size calculation was determined (N= 384) by using Rao soft online sample size calculator with a confidence level of 95% and margin of error 5%¹⁴. The data were collected via online survey as the pandemic situation is unfavorable for the data collection to be conducted physically by reaching out the potential respondents. The survey questionnaire was prepared and disseminated using online Google form. The link of online Google form was disseminated towards potential group of respondents, community leaders and social media influencer via social networking and communication applications.

STUDY INSTRUMENTS:

The validated questionnaire was adapted from studies done by Zhong et. al.¹⁵ and Alyami et. al.⁶ The questionnaire comprises of three (3) different sections consisting of: Section A (demographics characteristics of the respondents such as gender, age, education level, race, district of residence, occupation, household income and marital status). Section B (evaluation of respondent’s knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms) and Section C (evaluation of respondent’s belief about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic).

For section A, represented the independent variables that comprises of sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, education level, district and state of residence, occupation, marital status, and household income. For section B (Knowledge about preventive measures and symptoms of COVID-19 pandemic), was adapted from the study conducted by Zhong et.al.¹⁵, whereas for section C (Belief about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic), it was adapted from the study done by Alyami et. al.⁶. Both of these sections (section B and section C) represent the dependent variables that was to evaluate respondent’s knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms, and their belief about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was written in Malay and English and translated into both languages. The majority of the statements in the questionnaire were closed-ended questions. In this study, the respondent's overall knowledge and belief level was classified as good if the score was in range of80 to 100%, moderate if the score was in range of 60 to 79%, and poor if the score was <60%, following Bloom's original cut-off point¹⁶.

Content Validation:

A content validation was performed to ensure the overall validity of the questionnaire according to five sources of validity evidence which are content, response process, internal structure, relation to other variables, and consequences¹⁷. The content validation was conducted through no-face-to-face approach. Therefore, the content validation form was emailed to the panel of experts, and they were given a week time to review three domains (sections) and 39 items (questions) of the questionnaire. The panels were also provided with score on each item. After the evaluation from both panels, the Content Validity Index was calculated to assess the validity of the questionnaire. Acceptable Content Validity Index (CVI) value for two experts must be at least 0.80¹¹. Based on the calculation, the CVI indices of S-CVI/Ave and S-CVI/UA met the satisfactory with the value of 0.96 and 0.92, respectively.

Pilot Study:

A Pilot study was conducted prior to the study, in order to recognize possible issues and flaws in the research tools, protocol and questionnaire. It was performed among 10 respondents to assess the reliability, relevancy, and adequacy of the validated questionnaire. When the consent of the respondents received, they were given a set of questionnaires after getting information for this study. It was a research-assisted form of survey to make it easier for respondents to grasp the statements in the questionnaire if they have difficulties. The problems or difficulties to understand the questionnaire was modified based upon the results of the pilot study.

The internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed with the use of reliability analysis in which the Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to examine the reliability of the dependent variables¹⁸. Based on the analysis, knowledge and belief showed a result of above the minimum level that was 0.70. thus, the questionnaire was considered reliable.

Data Analysis:

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyze the data obtained for this study. The data was then analyzed with descriptive frequency analysis, summarized by frequency (n), percentage (%), and relevant statistical analysis were applied to evaluate the level of respondents’ knowledge about COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms, and beliefs towards use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS:

The questionnaires were distributed online, and a total of 423 respondents had responded via online Google form. Out of 423 respondents, 114 (27%) respondents were male and 309 (73%) were females. The respondents were mostly from the age of 18 to 29 years old. Majority of the respondents were Malay (90.1%) followed by Chinese (6.1%) Indian (1.7%) and others (2.1%). More than half of participants (67.0%) were educated from at least college or university level which include certificates, matriculation, foundation, diploma, or degree (Table 1).

Table1: Socio-Demographic Characteristic of the Respondents

Demographic characteristic (n=423)	Frequency, n (%)
Age (years old)
18-29	362 (85.6)
30-49	51 (12.1)
Above 50	10 (2.4)
Gender
Male	114 (27)
Female	309 (73)
Race
Malay	381 (90.1)
Chinese	26 (6.1)
Indian	7 (1.7)
Others	9 (2.1)
Level of education
No formal education	2 (5)
Primary education	0 (0)
Secondary education	36 (8.5)
College/university education: Certificates/ Matriculation/ Foundation /Diploma /Degree	368 (67)
Post-graduate education: Master degree/PhD	17 (4)
Marital status
Single	355 (83.9)
Married	68 (16.1)
Income status
No income	294 (69.5)
B40 (B1) :<RM2,500	54 (12.8)
B40 (B2) : RM2,501 - RM3,169	11 (2.6)
B40 (B3) : RM3,170 - RM3,969	3 (0.7)
B40 (B4) : RM3,970 - RM4,849	10 (2.4)
M40 (M1) : RM4,850 - RM5,879	16 (3.8)
M40 (M2) : RM5,880 - RM7,099	10 (2.4)
M40 (M3) : RM7,110 - RM8,699	8 (1.9)
M40 (M4) : RM8,700 - RM10,959	8 (1.9)
T20 (T1) : RM10,961 - RM15,039	7 (1.7)
T20 (T2) :>RM15,040	2 (0.5)
Occupation
Student	319 (75.4)
Academician	4 (0.9)
Government employee	19 (4.5)
Private employee	40 (9.5)
Self-employed	15 (3.5)
Retired	2 (0.5)
Unemployed	17 (4)
Professional (Doctor/Pharmacist/Nurse/Engineer)	6 (1.4)
Others	1 (0.2)

The mean and standard deviation (SD) of knowledge scores of the respondents were 10.38 (1.56) out of total score of 12, which described that the respondents have a good knowledge on the preventive measures and symptoms of COVID-19. At least 80% of the respondents were correct in all statement except for statement number 2, only 53% of the respondents answered correctly. This showed only 224 respondents acknowledge the most common and less common symptoms among the COVID-19 patients.

The mean and standard deviation (SD) of belief scores of the respondents were 36.6 and 6.52 respectively which indicates that the majority of the respondents have a moderate belief about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic. More than half (63.6%) of the respondents had a moderate belief about use of herbal products as protective measure during COVID-19 pandemic where they scored 36 to 47 marks, followed by 32.9% among the respondents had a negative belief where they scored less than 35 marks, and only 5.0% among the respondents had a positive belief where they scored at least 48 marks and above (maximum: 60 marks).

Table 2: Distribution of knowledge level on the preventive measures and symptoms of COVID-19 and belief on use of herbal products during COVID-19 prevention (n= 423)

Knowledge on the preventive measures and symptoms of COVID-19
S. No	Level	n	%
1	Good	335	79.2
2	Moderate	76	18
3	Poor	12	2.8
Beliefs On Use of Herbal Products as protective measure during Covid-19 pandemic
1	Positive	15	3.5
2	Moderate	269	63.6
3	Negative	139	32.9

The association between socio-demographic characteristic of respondents with total score of their knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms, and their beliefs about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic is shown in Table 3. The results showed that there was a significant association between respondent’s occupation (p = 0.029) with knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms. The study further shows that another significant association between respondent’s level of education (p=0.001), marital status (p = 0.008), and income status (p = 0.031) with beliefs about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic (Table 3).

Table 3: Association between demographic characteristic of respondents with their knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms and beliefs about use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic.

Demographic characteristic (n = 423)	Total score of knowledge, n (%)						Total score of belief, n (%)
Demographic characteristic (n = 423)	Good		Moderate	Poor	χ² stat (df)	p-value ͣ / p value ᵇ	Positive	Moderate	Negative	χ² stat (df)	p-value ͣ / p value ᵇ
Age (years old)
18-29 (362)		288 (79.6)	64 (17.7)	2 (3.9)		0.867ᵇ	14 (3.9)	222 (61.3)	126 (34.8)		0.208ᵇ
30-49 (51)		39 (76.5)	10 (19.6)	0 (0.0)			1 (2.0)	40 (78.4)	10 (19.6)
Above 50 (10)		8 (80.0)	2 (20.0)	12 (2.8)			0 (0.0)	7 (70.0)	3 (30.0)
Gender
Male (114)		84 (73.7)	27 (23.7)	3 (2.6)	3.461 (2) ͣ	0.177 ͣ	5 (4.4)	78 (68.4)	31 (27.2)	2.408 (2) ͣ	0.300 ͣ
Female (309)		251 (81.2)	49 (15.9)	9 (2.9)	3.461 (2) ͣ	0.177 ͣ	10 (3.2)	191 (61.8)	108 (35.0)	2.408 (2) ͣ	0.300 ͣ
Race
Malay (381)		307 (80.6)	65 (17.1)	9 (2.4)		0.073 ᵇ	14 (3.7)	241 (63.3)	126 (33.1)		0.588 ᵇ
Chinese (26)		17 (65.4)	8 (30.8)	1 (3.8)			0 (0.0)	19 (73.1)	7 (26.9)
Indian (7)		5 (71.4)	1 (14.3)	1 (14.3)			1 (14.3)	4 (57.1)	2 (28.6)
Others (9)		6 (66.7)	2 (22.2)	1 (11.1)			0 (0.0)	5 (55.6)	4 (44.4)
Level of education
No formal education (2)		1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	0 (0.00)		0.164 ᵇ	1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	0 (0.0)		0.001 ᵇ
Primary education		0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Secondary education (36)		27 (75.0)	9 (25.0)	0 (0.00)			2 (5.6)	31 (68.1)	3 (8.3)
College/university education: Certificates/ Matriculation/ Foundation /Diploma /Degree (368)		295 (80.2)	63 (17.1)	10 (2.7)			11 (3.0)	229 (62.2)	128 (34.8)
Post-graduate education: Master degree/PhD (17)		12 (70.6)	3 (17.6)	2 (11.8)			1 (5.9)	8 (47.1)	8 (47.1)
Marital status
Single (355)		279 (78.6)	65 (18.3)	11 (3.1)		0.806 ᵇ	15 (4.2)	215 (60.6)	125 (35.2)	9.775 (2) ͣ	0.008 ͣ
Married (68)		56 (82.4)	11 (16.2)	1 (1.5)		0.806 ᵇ	0 (0.0)	54 (79.4)	12 (20.6)	9.775 (2) ͣ	0.008 ͣ
Income status
No income (294)		238 (81.0)	48 (16.3)	8 (2.7)		0.157 ᵇ	12 (4.1)	181 (61.6)	101 (34.4)	33.358 (20) ͣ	0.031 ͣ
B40 (B1) :<RM2,500 (54)		41 (75.9)	12 (22.2)	1 (1.9)			0 (0.0)	41 (79.5)	13 (24.1)
B40 (B2) : RM2,501 - RM3,169 (11)		7 (63.6)	4 (36.4)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	5 (45.5)	6 (54.5)
B40 (B3) : RM3,170 - RM3,969 (3)		2 (66.7)	1 (33.3)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	2 (66.7)	1 (33.3)
B40 (B4) : RM3,970 - RM4,849 (!0)		8 (80.0)	2 (20.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	9 (90.0)	1 (10.0)
M40 (M1) : RM4,850 - RM5,879 (16)		12 (75.0)	4 (25.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	12 (75.0)	4 (25.0)
M40 (M2) : RM5,880 - RM7,099 (10)		8 (80.0)	0 (0.0)	2 (20.0)			1 (10.0)	3 (30.0)	6 (60.0)
M40 (M3) : RM7,110 - RM8,699 (8)		7 (87.5)	1 (12.5)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	5 (62.5)	3 (37.5)
M40 (M4) : RM8,700 - RM10,959 (8)		7 (87.5)	0 (0.0)	1 (12.5)			0 (0.0)	6 (75.0)	2 (25.0)
T20 (T1) : RM10,961 - RM15,039 (7)		4 (57.1)	3 (42.9)	0 (0.0)			1 (14.30	4 (57.1)	2 (28.6)
T20 (T2) :>RM15,040 (2)		1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	0 (0.0)			1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	0 (0.0)
Occupation
Student (319)		258 (80.9)	52 (16.3)	9 (2.8)		0.029 ᵇ	13 (4.1)	193 (60.5)	113 (35.4)		0.405 ᵇ
Academician (4)		4 (100.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	3 (75.0)	1 (25.0)
Government employee (19)		14 (73.7)	5 (26.3)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	15 (78.9)	4 (21.1)
Private employee (40)		26 (65.0)	11 (27.5)	3 (7.5)			1 (2.5)	27 (67.5)	12 (30.0)
Self-employed (15)		12 (80.0)	3 (20.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	13 (86.7)	2 (13.3)
Retired (2)		2 (100.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)
Unemployed (17)		17 (100.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	14 (82.4)	3 (17.6)
Professional (Doctor/ Pharmacist/ Nurse/ Engineer) (6)		2 (33.3)	4 (66.7)	0 (0.0)			1 (16.7)	2 (33.3)	3 (50.0)
Others (1)		0 (0.0)	1 (100.0)	0 (0.0)			0 (0.0)	1 (100.0)	0 (0.0)

ᵅ Statistical calculations were done by using Chi-squared test and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

ᵇ Statistical calculations were done by using Fisher’s exact test and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Table 4: Association between demographic characteristic of respondents with the belief on herbal supplement as protective measure during COVID-19 pandemic

Demographic characteristic (n = 423)	Consumption of herbal supplement, n (%)
Demographic characteristic (n = 423)	Yes	No	Stop using	χ² stat (df)	p-value ͣ / p value ᵇ
Age (years old)
18-29	85 (23.5)	252 (69.6)	25 (6.9)		0.000ᵇ
30-49	27 (52.9)	20 (39.2)	4 (7.8)
Above 50	4 (40.0)	6 (60.0)	0 (0.0)
Gender
Male	34 (29.8)	74 (64.9)	6 (5.3)	0.921 (2) ͣ	0.631 ͣ
Female	82(26.5)	204 (66.0)	23 (7.4)	0.921 (2) ͣ	0.631 ͣ
Race
Malay	96 (25.2)	258 (67.7)	27 (7.1)		0.054 ᵇ
Chinese	14 (53.8)	10 (38.5)	2 (7.7)
Indian	3 (42.9)	4 (52.1)	0 (0.0)
Others	3 (33.3)	6 (66.7)	0 (0.0)
Level of education
No formal education	1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	0 (0.00)		0.021 ᵇ
Primary education	15 (41.7)	17 (47.2)	4 (0.0)
Secondary education	91 (24.7)	252 (68.5)	25(6.8)
College/university education: Certificates/ Matriculation/ Foundation /Diploma /Degree	9 (52.9)	8 (47.1)	0 (0.0)
Post-graduate education: Master degree/PhD	116 (27.4)	278 (65.7)	29 (6.9)
Marital status
Single	84 (23.7)	247 (69.6)	24 (6.8)	16.418 (2) ͣ	0.000 ͣ
Married	32 (47.1)	31 (45.6)	5 (7.4)	16.418 (2) ͣ	0.000 ͣ
Income status
No income	59 (20.1)	216 (73.5)	19 (6.5)	48.183 (20) ͣ	0.000 ͣ
B40 (B1) :<RM2,500	27 (50.0)	23 (42.6)	4 (7.4)
B40 (B2) : RM2,501 - RM3,169	5 (45.5)	5 (45.5)	1 (9.1)
B40 (B3) : RM3,170 - RM3,969	0 (0.0)	3 (100.0)	0 (0.0)
B40 (B4) : RM3,970 - RM4,849	3 (30.0)	5 (50.0)	2 (20.0)
M40 (M1) : RM4,850 - RM5,879	6 (37.5)	7 (43.8)	3 (18.8)
M40 (M2) : RM5,880 - RM7,099	6 (60.0)	4 (40.0)	0 (0.0)
M40 (M3) : RM7,110 - RM8,699	2 (25.0)	6 (75.0)	0 (0.0)
M40 (M4) : RM8,700 - RM10,959	3 (37.5)	5 (62.5)	0 (0.0)
T20 (T1) : RM10,961 - RM15,039	3 (42.9)	4 (57.1)	0 (0.0)
T20 (T2) :>RM15,040	2 (100.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
Occupation
Student	64 (21.3)	229 (71.8)	22 (6.9)
Academician	3 (75.0)	1 (25.0)	0 (0.0)	34.605 (16) ͣ	0.004 ͣ
Government employee	5 (26.3)	12 (63.2)	2 (10.5)
Private employee	20 (50.0)	18 (45.0)	2 (5.0)
Self-employed	7 (46.7)	7 (46.7)	1 (6.7)
Retired	1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	0 (0.0)
Unemployed	8 (47.1)	7 (41.2)	2 (11.8)
Professional (Doctor/Pharmacist/Nurse/Engineer)	4 (66.7)	2 (33.3)	0 (0.0)
Others	0 (0.0)	1 (100.0)	0 (0.0)

ᵅStatistical calculations were done by using Chi-squared test and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

ᵇStatistical calculations were done by using Fisher’s exact test and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

As shown in Table 5, the total score of knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measure and symptoms, and belief towards use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed using spearman correlation coefficient test. This study revealed that the relationship between respondent’s knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measure and symptoms, and respondent’s belief towards use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic is not significant.

Table 5: Summary of relationship between knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measure and symptoms, and belief of respondents towards use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic.

Variable	Spearman correlation coefficient ᵉ rₛ	Knowledge score	Belief score
Knowledge score	rₛ	1.000	0.053
	p-value		0.281
Belief score	rₛ	0.053	1.000
	p-value	0.281

ᶜStatistical calculations were done using Spearman correlation coefficient test.

DISCUSSION:

The findings of the current study suggest an overall good knowledge on COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms among general public. This is similar to the finding reported by Zhong et. al.⁹, where the study population of 6 919 residents living in China, 90% of them has good knowledge about COVID-19 with slightly higher mean and SD (10.80±1.60) compared to our finding (10.38±1.56). Each and every person must get knowledgeable about the COVID-19 and realize how it might be prevented through preventative actions in order to be protected from it⁸. In addition, the current study also suggests that more than half (63.6%) of the respondents had a moderate belief on herbal supplement as protective measure during COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, only 3.5% has a positive belief while 32.9% of the total respondents has a negative belief about herbal supplement as protective measure during COVID-19 pandemic. This may be attributed to lack of scientific evidence and majority of the public awareness campaign for treatment of COVID-19 virus is directed towards western medicine. Nevertheless, this study found a higher proportion of respondents using herbal product or supplements during COVID-19 pandemic (27.4%).

The current study found that only occupation was significantly associated with respondent’s knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms. This finding is similar to the finding reported by Alyami et.al.²where there was a significant association between respondent’s occupation with their knowledge. According to Alyami et. al., being unemployed was a significant predicting factor of having low level of knowledge. In addition, literature also suggests a significant association between knowledge of respondents with their occupation and unemployed as important predictor to have low knowledge about COVID-19⁹. Apart from occupation, literature also suggests that gender, age, and level of education also had significant association with the level of knowledge^2,9. Nevertheless, the findings from both previous studiesinvolved thousands of respondents, whereas the current study only involve 423 respondents, thereby could be a possible reason as to current study was not able to find any association among other demographic variables.

The current study found that level of education, marital status, and income status hadsignificant association with respondent’s beliefs on herbal supplement as protective measure during COVID-19 pandemic. This finding may be due to the reason of respondents who at least had college and university education (67%), have a better view, and have wider knowledge about the benefits of herbal products in boosting immune system which in turn helps in preventing COVID-19. Better level of education of respondents may contribute to more positive belief towards herbal products or supplement.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, the findings of current study suggest an overall good level of knowledge towards COVID-19 preventive measure and symptoms, and moderate level of belief towards use of herbal products during COVID-19 pandemic. Since COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation with new genetic mutations being discovered from time to time, it requires continuity of creating awareness of latest developments in COVID-19 virus, its symptoms, treatment, and a reminder on shared responsibility of adopting preventive measures in breaking the chain of COVID-19 transmission. Scientific evidence is still lacking when it comes to establishing effectiveness of herbal products against COVID-19 treatment thereby requires mass public awareness campaigns in creating awareness on use of herbal product for COVID-19 treatment

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest concerning this article.

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Received on 29.06.2022 Modified on 27.01.2023

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2023; 16(8):3645-3652.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2023.00600