Version 1
: Received: 1 August 2023 / Approved: 2 August 2023 / Online: 3 August 2023 (09:42:14 CEST)
How to cite:
ADEBIYI, S.K. Implications of Self-Medication with Natural Products during Disease Outbreaks in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review. Preprints2023, 2023080244. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0244.v1
ADEBIYI, S.K. Implications of Self-Medication with Natural Products during Disease Outbreaks in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review. Preprints 2023, 2023080244. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0244.v1
ADEBIYI, S.K. Implications of Self-Medication with Natural Products during Disease Outbreaks in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review. Preprints2023, 2023080244. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0244.v1
APA Style
ADEBIYI, S.K. (2023). Implications of Self-Medication with Natural Products during Disease Outbreaks in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0244.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
ADEBIYI, S.K. 2023 "Implications of Self-Medication with Natural Products during Disease Outbreaks in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0244.v1
Abstract
Self-medication with natural products during disease outbreaks in developing countries poses significant public health challenges yet remains relatively unexplored in the published literature. This study aims to assess the implications of such practices, address the state and quality of evidence, identify gaps in the literature, explore determinants and contributing factors, elucidating the implications, and propose possible solutions. Using a modified systematic literature review methodology, 20 articles were selected from 1,683 reports after applying rigorous selection criteria and quality assessment using the AXIS critical evaluation tool. The findings revealed a dearth of literature concerning the implications of self-medication with natural products during disease outbreaks, highlighting the need for further investigation in this domain. Key determinants included gender, acquisition, and ideological factors, while common side effects comprised diarrhoea, stomach pain, sweating, headache, and nausea/vomiting. Notably, self-medication with natural products was associated with reduced communication with healthcare providers, leading to underreported side effects. It also creates a false sense of safety which may potentially exacerbate the spread of the prevailing disease. In conclusion, the rampant use of natural products for self-medication necessitates increased awareness among the population, encouraging individuals to seek professional medical care and support when faced with disease outbreaks.
Keywords
determinants, developing countries, disease outbreaks, implications, literature review, natural products, public health, self-medication
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
