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Table 3 Respondents’ attitudes towards natural health products (n = 1173)
| Statement | Strongly disagree % (95% CI) | Disagree % (95% CI) | Neutral % (95% CI) | Agree % (95% CI) | Strongly agree % (95% CI) | p value (d + e vs a + b + c) | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | |||
| NHPs can be used to help maintain and promote health | 4.5 (3.4 - 5.9) | 8.2 (6.7 - 9.9) | 15.2 (13.2 - 17.4) | 52.6 (49.7-55.5) | 19.5 (17.3 -21.9) | P < 0.001* | 4 |
| NHPs can be used to treat illness | 3.6 (2.6 - 4.9) | 13.3 (11.4 - 15.4) | 23.3 (20.9- 25.8) | 49.3 (46.4 - 52.2) | 10.6 (8.9 - 12.5) | P < 0.001* | 4 |
| I think that NHPs are safe because they are made from natural ingredients | 5.3 (4.1 - 6.8) | 13.2 (11.4 - 15.3) | 20.1 (17.9- 22.6) | 43.5 (40.6 - 46.4) | 17.9 (15.8 - 20.2) | P < 0.001* | 4 |
| If a NHPS is for sale to the public, I am confident that it is safe | 7.2 (5.8 - 8.8) | 21.5 (19.2 - 24.0) | 28.0 (25.4- 30.6) | 31.9 (29.2 - 34.7) | 11.5 (9.8 - 13.5) | P < 0.001^ | 3 |
| I think that NHPs are better for me than conventional medicines | 8.5 (7.0 - 10.3) | 20.5 (18.2 - 22.9) | 31.1 (28.5- 33.9) | 29.2 (26.6 - 31.9) | 10.7 (9.1 - 12.7) | P < 0.001^ | 3 |
| I think that a lot of the health claims made by the manufacturers of NHPs are unproven | 4.3 (3.3 - 5.7) | 13.8 (11.9 - 16.0) | 39.6 (36.8- 42.5) | 32.1 (29.4 - 34.8) | 10.1 (8.5 - 12.1) | P < 0.001^ | 3 |
| The Ministry of Health in Kuwait should regulate the claims made by the manufacturers of NHPS | 8.0 (6.6 - 9.8) | 3.8 (2.8 - 5.1) | 6.2 (4.9- 7.8) | 27.0 (24.5 - 29.7) | 55 (52.1 - 57.9) | P < 0.001* | 5 |
| I think that it is important to talk to a medical doctor or a pharmacist before using NHPs | 3.5 (2.6 - 4.8) | 8.9 (7.3 - 10.7) | 11.8 (10.0-13.8) | 36.7 (26.6 -31.9) | 39.1 (36.3 - 42.0) | P < 0.001* | 4 |
