Community Insights on Drug-Herbal Interactions: A Study From Hail, Saudi Arabia

Background The use of herbal remedies is prevalent in Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but the concurrent use of pharmaceutical drugs poses significant risks due to potential drug-herbal interactions. Understanding public awareness and perceptions of these interactions is crucial for enhancing public health education and safety. This study aimed to (1) assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use among the Hail population, (2) evaluate awareness and knowledge regarding drug-herbal interactions, and (3) identify common sources of information about these interactions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Hail, KSA. The survey collected data on demographic information, herbal medicine usage patterns, awareness of drug-herbal interactions, and sources of information. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis to explore relationships between variables. Results The survey included 620 respondents. The findings revealed that 70.65% of participants reported using herbal remedies, with a significant portion using them occasionally (33.27%). Awareness of potential drug-herbal interactions was generally low, with 58.24% of respondents lacking sufficient knowledge. The most common sources of information were the Internet (49.88%) and healthcare professionals (33.27%). Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between educational level and awareness of drug-herbal interactions (r=0.141). Additionally, a strong correlation was observed between the use of herbal remedies and the frequency of use (r=0.249). Conclusions The study highlights a high prevalence of herbal remedy use in Hail, KSA, with significant gaps in public awareness of drug-herbal interactions. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve public knowledge and promote the safe use of herbal remedies. Healthcare professionals should play a more active role in advising patients about potential risks associated with drug-herbal interactions. Future efforts should focus on integrating comprehensive drug-herbal interaction education into public health campaigns and healthcare provider training programs.