Patterns of Herbal Medicine Use and Associated Health Beliefs Among Adults in Zawia, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Herbal medicine (HM) remains a primary healthcare resource in many developing countries, including Libya, due to cultural heritage and perceived safety. However, the lack of localized data on usage patterns and health beliefs poses challenges for patient safety and integrated healthcare. This study was conducted to investigate how adults in Zawia, Libya, use herbal medicine and what they believe about it. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adult residents of Zawia using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected between February and March 2026 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. The study found a very high prevalence of HM use, with 94.5% (n=189) of participants reporting current or past use. The primary motivations for use were recommendations from friends or family (37.6%) and perceived effectiveness (32.3%). The most used herbs were Mint (62.4%), Chamomile (41.3%), and Ginger (29.6%). Health food stores (38.1%) and home cultivation (29.1%) were the leading sources of herbal products. One major finding: more than half (50.8%) never tell their doctors they use herbs. While 30% of participants recognized the potential for negative drug-herb interactions, a majority (60%) remained neutral, indicating a gap in definitive knowledge. The widespread use of herbal medicine in Zawia, coupled with low levels of disclosure to healthcare providers and limited awareness of potential interactions, highlights an urgent need for public health education and enhanced pharmaceutical care. Integrating traditional practices into formal healthcare consultations is essential to ensure patient safety and optimize therapeutic outcomes.