Abstract
Background: The use of herbal medicine (HM) as a self-management practice for treating
various diseases has gained popularity worldwide. Consumers co-administer herbal products
with conventional medicine without the knowledge of possible herb-drug interaction (HDI).
Aim: This study aimed to assess patients’ perception and use of HM and their knowledge
of HDI.
Setting: Participants attending primary health care (PHC) clinics in three provinces (Gauteng,
Mpumalanga and Free State), South Africa, were recruited.
Methods: Focus group discussions comprising a total of thirty (N = 30) participants were
conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Discussions were audio-recorded and
then transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.
Results: Reasons for using HM, sources of information on HM, co-administration of HM and
prescribed medicine, disclosure of the use of HM, PHC nurses’ attitudes and not having time
to engage were frequently discussed. Respondents’ lack of knowledge and perceptions about
HDI and their dissatisfaction with prescribed medicine because of experienced side effects
were also discussed.
Conclusion: Because of the lack of discussions and non-disclosure about HM in PHC clinics,
patients are at risk of experiencing HDIs. Primary health care providers should regularly
enquire about HM use on every patient, to identify and prevent HDIs. The lack of knowledge
about HDIs by patients further compromises the safety of HM.
Contribution: The results highlighted the lack of knowledge of HDI by patients thus assisting
the healthcare stakeholders in South Africa to implement measures to educate patients
attending PHC clinics.