ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE REGARDING HERBAL AND ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE USE AND SAFETY AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The public's growing use of allopathic and herbal medicines has sparked worries about their efficacy, safety, and possible interactions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general public's knowledge, attitude, and practice about the usage and safety of allopathic and herbal medicines. Over the course of six months, from October 2025 to March 2026, 200 participants from specific urban and rural areas of Salem and Namakkal districts participated in a community-based cross-sectional survey. A self-created structured questionnaire with questions about knowledge, attitude, and practice as well as sociodemographic information was used to gather data. Descriptive statistics like frequency and percentage were used to examine the gathered data. According to the findings, 52% of respondents acknowledged that herbal medicines are not always safe, while 66% of respondents understood the distinction between herbal and allopathic medications. Approximately 59% of respondents said that using herbal remedies over an extended period of time without consulting a doctor could have negative effects. In terms of practice, 34% of participants used both allopathic and herbal drugs, 20% used exclusively herbal medicines, and 46% used solely allopathic medicines. According to the survey, there are still misconceptions about the safety of herbal medications and their use in conjunction with allopathic drugs, despite the public's reasonable awareness of medication safety. To guarantee the safe and sensible use of medications, it is crucial to raise public knowledge and promote contact with medical professionals.