EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HERBAL MEDICINES IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF A UNIVERSITY CENTER IN PARANÁ

Abstract

This study explored the knowledge about herbal medicines among undergraduate students not related to the health field at a university center in Paraná. The growing popularity of these products and the lack of adequate information available to the general public justify the investigation. Using an exploratory and descriptive methodology of a quantitative nature, 105 students of Administration, Civil Engineering, and Accounting Sciences were interviewed between September and December 2023. The results revealed that 80% of the respondents knew about herbal medicines such as aloe vera, guaco, mint, and espinheira-santa, but 94.2% had never discussed the topic in the classroom, despite expressing the belief in the importance of including this topic in their undergraduate studies. It was concluded that there is a knowledge gap among university students not linked to health, highlighting the need to integrate information about herbal medicines into the academic curriculum to promote a more informed and safer use of these products. This approach is crucial to prevent possible negative consequences resulting from the improper use of these medicines, thus contributing to the promotion of health and quality of life for students and future professionals.