Assessment of patients' perceptions and beliefs regarding herbal therapies

We evaluated the demographics and beliefs regarding safety and efficacy of herbal therapy among individuals in Iowa and assessed the willingness to di scuss the use of these products with health care providers. We distributed 1300 surveys to two random samples: patients attending eight clinics, and r esidents of the state (mailing). Data were categorized according to herb us e and compared between users and nonusers. The response rate was 61% (794 p eople), with 41.6% of respondents reporting herb use. They were predominate ly white women and were likely to have had education beyond high school (p< 0.05). Their use of prescription drugs was high (p<0.05). Although users ra ted safety and efficacy of herbs higher than nonusers (p<0.05), both groups believed that health care providers should be aware of use and would provi de this information.