Phcog.Net logo
Submit

BROWSE ALL JOURNALS

    SEE ALL 6 JOURNALS
    Pharmacognosy ResearchNOW IN
    Article

    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

    Akram Ahmad1, Muhammad Umair Khan1, Bandari Deepak Kumar2★, Gogikar Sudhir Kumar2, Stephanie Perez Rodriguez3, Isha Patel3★ Corresponding author

    1. 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    2. 2Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, Warangal, Telangana, India
    3. 3Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Bandari Deepak Kumar

    *Address for correspondence: Dr. Bandari Deepak Kumar, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Vaagdevi College of Pharmacy, Warangal, Telangana, India.

    laxmideepak.pharma@gmail.com

    Revised: 29-01-2015.

    Volume 7, Issue 4 · pp. 302–308 · PUBLISHED October-December 2015 · DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.158438

    View on Pharmacogn. Res. original site ↗

    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

    Open in new tab

    REFERENCES

    As published

    Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

      Cite this article

      SELECT FORMAT

      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