Table 2 Use of health supplements among participants in Dubai, 2015 (n = 1203)
Variables | N | n (%) |
|---|---|---|
HS use | 1203 | Â |
 Ever used (Including current and past users) |  | 455 (37.8) |
 Current |  | 317 (26.4) |
 Past |  | 138 (11.5) |
 Never |  | 748 (62.2) |
Reasons for using HSa | 455 | Â |
 To improve health |  | 301 (66.1) |
 Body building (Male only) |  | 45 (9.9) |
 Disease prevention |  | 31 (6.8) |
 Diet supplementation |  | 27 (5.9) |
 Weight management |  | 24 (5.3) |
 Energy |  | 18 (4.0) |
 Pregnancy (Female only) |  | 11 (2.4) |
 Immunity booster |  | 8 (1.8) |
 Cold Prevention |  | 8 (1.8) |
 Digestive |  | 6 (1.3) |
 Aging |  | 5 (1.1) |
 High cholesterol |  | 5 (1.1) |
 Anaemia |  | 4 (0.9) |
 High blood pressure |  | 3 (0.7) |
 Other |  | 8 (1.7) |
Duration of HS use, ever users | 455 | Â |
 Less than a month |  | 52 (11.4) |
 Month |  | 189 (41.5) |
 1–5 years |  | 165 (36.3) |
 More than 5 years |  | 45 (9.9) |
 Do not know |  | 4 (0.9) |
Frequency of HS use | 455 | Â |
 Seasonally |  | 17 (3.7) |
  < 1 a month |  | 9 (2.0) |
 1–3 times a month |  | 22 (4.8) |
 1–4 times a week |  | 116 (25.5) |
 Daily |  | 288 (63.3) |
 Do not know |  | 3 (0.7) |
Number of HS | 455 | Â |
 1–2 supplements |  | 388 (85.3) |
 3–5 supplements |  | 59 (13.0) |
 6–10 supplements |  | 6 (1.3) |
  > 10 supplements |  | 2 (0.4) |
Purchasing of HSa | 455 | Â |
 Pharmacy |  | 402 (88.3) |
 Clinic |  | 45 (9.9) |
 Nutrition shop |  | 29 (6.7) |
 Gym |  | 12 (2.6) |
 Super market |  | 5 (1.1) |
 Other |  | 9 (2.0) |