150127 Herb and Dietary Supplement Use Among College Age and Young Adults in the United States

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 3:10 PM

Paula Gardiner, MD , Osher Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
        
Background: Little is known about the prevalence of herb and dietary supplements (HDS) use among college age and young adults in the U.S.

Methods: Using the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we examined the patterns of HDS (excluding vitamins or minerals) use among college age and young adults in the United States. We analyzed factors associated with HDS use with descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results: In our analysis of 18 to 30 years olds (n=6666), 17% reported using a HDS in the last 12 months. Among young adults who reported HDS use (n=1171), the most common were: echinacea (47%), ginseng (36%), gingko biloba (23%), garlic (16%), and St. Johns wort and peppermint (15%). HDS was used most frequently for the following conditions: head or chest cold (37%); musculoskeletal conditions (13 %); anxiety/depression (13 %); and stomach or intestinal illness (12 %). HDS use was common among prescription medications users (22%) and OTC mediation users (19%). Factors associated independently with HDS use include: having a higher education, current or former smoker, alcohol use, moderate to high physical activity, fair/poor self perceived health status, and using prescription medications or over the counter medications (OTC). Twenty four percent of HDS users did not discuss their HDS use with a health care professional.

Conclusions: Nearly one in five college age and young adults report using an HDS for treatment of health conditions and/or health promotion.

Learning Objectives:
1. List common herbs used by young adults 2. Describe factors that influence the use of herbs and dietary supplements by young adults 3.List 3 conditions that young people with use herbs and dietary supplements to treat

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Health Promotion and Alternative and Complementary Health Practices
See more of: Alternative and Complementary Health Practices