The Use and Perception of Herbal Remedies in the Management of Nephrolithiasis Among Diverse Iraqi Patients Residing in Karbala: A Cross-Sectional Survey Conducted in Southern Iraq
Authors:   Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq., Humadi Suhad , Hassan Saif M. ,   Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq., Ahjel Salam W. ,   Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq.
Published: January 2024

Background: Nephrolithiasis, also known as kidney stones, is the third most prevalent issue affecting the urinary tract, following urinary tract infections and prostate illnesses. Approximately 12% of the global population experiences this condition at some point, encompassing individuals of all ages, genders, and races. Regrettably, the current medical landscape lacks a pharmacological intervention that can effectively treat or prevent the recurrence of kidney stones. Consequently, people turn to herbal medicine as a viable option. Aim: Evaluate the use and perception of herbal medicine among patients residing in Karbala, documenting their herbal products and evaluating patients’ knowledge, practice, and attitude toward herbal remedies and possible factors behind using herbal remedies as an alternative to conventional medications. Method: Two-hundred and sixty-six patients diagnosed with kidney stones in Karbala joined this survey, a cross-sectional design between October 2022 and March 2023, using a questionnaire administered to patients. In face-to-face meetings, participants completed a multicomponent questionnaire comprising 26 items in three parts. The data acquired were analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences; Chi-square was used to correlate some variables, and P-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: A significant proportion of individuals aged 20 to 49 exhibited a high level of education, with 50.8% possessing a university degree. Conversely, 9.4% of patients were illiterate. Most individuals within the sample were employed, with only 7.5% identified as students and 4.5% classified as jobless. Most participants, precisely 76.3%, were found to be married, while a smaller proportion, approximately 18.4%, were identified as unmarried. A mere 5.3% of the individuals under consideration were identified as widows, whereas there were no instances of divorce among them. The present study evaluated patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) outcomes, revealing suboptimal levels of knowledge, neutral attitudes, and poor practice toward herbal therapy. Moreover, the data analysis revealed a noteworthy association between educational attainment and knowledge score, as well as gender and attitude toward herbal products. The findings additionally documented twelve herbal medicines used by patients, with Zea mays and Barley emerging as the most often employed remedies among the remaining options. Conclusion: Most patients lack proper knowledge regarding herbal remedies, and most seek herbal products due to their low cost, relative recommendation, and belief that herbal medications are safe. The most used treatments were Zea mays and barley, which were reasonably priced and famous for their use.