Use of medicinal plants by elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic: what do the data reveal?

Alciellen Mendes da Silva, Patrícia Silva Bazoni, Ana Luisa Horsth, Ronaldo José Faria, Eduardo Frizzera Meira, Jéssica Barreto Ribeiro dos Santos, Michael Ruberson Ribeiro da Silva

Abstract

The present study aims to identify the prevalence and profile of use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by the elderly population of Alegre, as well as the factors associated with their use. An epidemiological study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in the municipality of Alegre. The population consisted of 299 elderly individuals, over the age of 60, who agreed to participate in the research by signing an Informed Consent Form. Descriptive data analysis was performed using frequency distribution for categorical variables and median and interquartile range for continuous variables. Factors associated with the use of medicinal plants were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance, which estimated the prevalence ratio for the use of medicinal plants. Of the total number of respondents, 128 elderly people (42.81%) reported using medicinal plants. 50 different plants were mentioned by the participants and the factors associated with the use of plants were gender, race and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The results of this study make it possible to develop strategies to guide and improve the use of medicinal plants by the local community, aiming to promote a better quality of life and preserve the rich cultural tradition related to the use of medicinal plants.