Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Assessment of lifestyle, herbs, dietary and pharmacological preventive measures used among the public in Jordan to boost immunity during COVID-19 pandemic

Reem Issa¹ , Dima Albals², Ala Yehya³, Fayez Shriedh⁴

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre (PDRC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman; ²Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy; ³Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid; ⁴Luminus Technical University College, Amman, Jordan.

For correspondence:- Reem Issa Email: r.issa@ammanu.edu.jo

Accepted: 21 August 2021 Published: 30 September 2021

Citation: Issa R, Albals D, Yehya A, Shriedh F. Assessment of lifestyle, herbs, dietary and pharmacological preventive measures used among the public in Jordan to boost immunity during COVID-19 pandemic. Trop J Pharm Res 2021; 20(9):1969-1974 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i9.25

© 2021 The authors.
This is an Open Access article that uses a funding model which does not charge readers or their institutions for access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) and the Budapest Open Access Initiative (http://www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org/read), which permit unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited..

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the methods and practices for strengthening immunity and limiting virus spread among the public during the COVID-19 pandemic

Methods: A questionnaire was designed and distributed to the public in Jordan. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle practices, and intakes of herbs, vitamins, diet, and medications during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed.

Results: A total of 1048 participants completed the survey, 75 % of which were females and 60 % were in the age group of 18 - 34 years. The majority (75 %) agreed that staying at home along with social distancing would be their best protective measure, combined with hygienic practices and disinfection (71 %). Ginger and mint (49 and 45 %), vitamins D and C (52 and 34 %;) were predominantly used. Of the participants, 77 and 66 %, respectively increased their consumption of citrus fruits and foods rich in vitamin C, when they experienced influenza-like symptoms, while 13 and 18 % of the participants used antibiotics and paracetamol, respectively. Moreover, 61 and 63 % of participants were aware of the guidelines on the use of antibiotics and NSAIDs for the treatment of viral infections.

Conclusion: The public practices reflect the positive beliefs about lifestyle practices, and the use of herbs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and medication intake. There is a need to promote healthy practices and increase awareness of rational drug use.

Keywords: Lifestyle, Pharmacology, Food, Herbs, Vitamins, Immune system, COVID-19