Factors Affecting Herbal Medicine Use Behavior to Relieve Musculoskeletal Pain of Personnel in a Hospital

Abstract

This predictive correlational research aimed to examine herbal medicine use behavior to relieve musculoskeletal pain and factors affecting herbal medicine use behavior to relieve musculoskeletal pain of personnel. The samples were 330 personnel in Sawanpracharak Hospital, Nakhon Sawan Province. The research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, a knowledge on herbal medicine use to relieve musculoskeletal pain test with a reliability of .90, an attitude towards herbal medicine use to relieve musculoskeletal pain questionnaire with a reliability of .83, a perceived benefit of herbal medicine use to relieve musculoskeletal pain questionnaire with a reliability of .78, an enabling factor of herbal medicine use to relieve musculoskeletal pain questionnaire (2 dimensions) with the reliabilities of .83 and .81, a reinforcing factor of herbal medicine use to relieve musculoskeletal pain questionnaire (2 parts) with the reliabilities of .83 and .87, and a herbal medicine use behavior to relieve musculoskeletal pain questionnaire with a reliability of .88. Data were collected from January to March 2023. Statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The research results revealed that the mean score of herbal medicine use behavior to relieve musculoskeletal pain of personnel was at a low level (M = 10.96, SD = 1.10). Elementary education level, Thai traditional medicine occupation, employment as a government employee, employment as a Ministry of Public Health employee, employment as a temporary employee, no underlying disease, and perceived benefit of herbal medicine use could statistically significantly predict the herbal medicine use behavior to relieve musculoskeletal pain of personnel at 13.60% (adj. R² = .136, p < .05). The most predictive factor was Thai traditional medicine occupation (Beta = .252, p < .001).

This research suggests that the agency should campaign for personnel to use herbal medicines to alleviate musculoskeletal pain, and there should be a policy to prescribe herbal medicines as a first-line drug for patients with musculoskeletal pain. This will stimulate the use of herbal medicines and reduce the cost of importing modern medicines.