Open access · Peer reviewed · No APCs
ORIGINAL ARTICLEPharmacognosy ResearchVol. 7 | Issue 4 | 2015 | pp. 302–308Open access
Beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy medicines among senior pharmacy students: An exploratory insight from Andhra Pradesh, India
- 1,
- 1,
- 2*,
- 2,
- 3,
- 3
- 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- 2 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, Warangal, Telangana, India
- 3 Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA
Published in Pharmacognosy Research
Correspondence: Bandari Deepak Kumar
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, Warangal, Telangana, India
Email: laxmideepak.pharma@gmail.com
Copyright: © 2015 Manuscript Technomedia. This is an open access article.
- Published:
- Jan 1, 2015
How to cite
Ahmad, A., Khan, M. U., Kumar, B. D., Kumar, G. S., Rodriguez, S. P., & Patel, I. (2015). Beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy medicines among senior pharmacy students: An exploratory insight from Andhra Pradesh, India. Pharmacognosy Research, 7(4), 302–308. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.158438
Abstract
Objectives
To assess the beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medicines among senior pharmacy students.
Methodology
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among pharmacy students in four pharmacy schools located in Andhra Pradesh in South India. This study was conducted from the August to September 2014. The study population included all pharmacy students enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy programs in studied pharmacy schools. The pretested AYUSH survey had 8 questions on AYUSH related beliefs and 8 question on AYUSH related attitudes. The survey also asked participants about AYUSH related knowledge, frequency of use of AYUSH and the reason for using AYUSH. The data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20. Chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U-test were employed to study the association between the independent and dependent variables.
Results
A total of 428 pharmacy students participated in the survey. 32.2% of the study population was females and 32.5% of the population resided in rural areas. Males were more likely to have positive beliefs about AYUSH when compared to females (odd ratio [OR] = 4.62, confidence interval [CI] = 2.37−8.99, P < 0.001). Similarly, students living in hostels were more positive in their beliefs about AYUSH compared with students living at home (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.12−4.07, P < 0.05). Students living in hostel also had a positive attitude about AYUSH use (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.03−2.93, P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Pharmacy students held favorable attitude and beliefs about AYUSH use. This baseline survey provides important information about the pharmacy student’s perception about AYUSH. Further research is needed to explore the reasons that shape the pharmacy student’s beliefs and attitudes about AYUSH.
Keywords
Subject
Article metadata
| Title | Beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy medicines among senior pharmacy students: An exploratory insight from Andhra Pradesh, India |
|---|---|
| Authors | Akram Ahmad; Muhammad Umair Khan; Bandari Deepak Kumar; Gogikar Sudhir Kumar; Stephanie Perez Rodriguez; Isha Patel |
| Affiliations | Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, Warangal, Telangana, India; Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA |
| Corresponding author | laxmideepak.pharma@gmail.com |
| Journal | Pharmacognosy Research |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 7, Issue 4 (2015) |
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