Factors Associated with Herbal Used Behavior towards Self Care among Village Health Volunteers in Krung La District, Phatthalung Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with herbal used behavior towards self care among health volunteers in Krung La district, Phatthalung Province. Data was collected between November and December 2013. Totally, 220 health volunteers were selected. Content validity was checked by three experts. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of knowledge, attitude, benefit perception, social support and information, health accessibility and behavior towards herbal uses were 0.755, 0.811, 0.901, 0.881, 0.950 and 0.946, respectively. The data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. It was found that having health problems (5.58, 95%CI: 1.53 to 9.63), benefit perception (0.94, 95%CI: 0.68 to 1.20) and social support and information (0.75, 95%CI: 0.46 to 1.04) were positively associated with herbal used behavior towards self care among the health volunteers. The study suggested that health personnel should promote and provide health education activities in order to be aware of the benefit of herbal used behavior towards self care, to replace and reduce the conventional medicine uses.