The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medicinal Plants Consumption Among Iranian Households: Determinants and Consumption Patterns.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has heightened interest in using medicinal plants (MPs) for disease management. Considering regional, socioeconomic, and demographic differences, this study explores the determinants and consumption patterns of MPs among Iranian households before and after the pandemic.

Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was conducted using survey data from the the Iranian Statistics Center (ISC). from 2018-2019 (prepandemic) and 2020-2021 (postpandemic) to compare MPs consumption. Logistic regression analysis examined the impact of independent variables, and COVID-19 on MPs consumption. The outcome variable was household MPs consumption (yes: 1, no: 0), with explanatory variables including the sex, age, and marital status of the household head, education level, number of educated household members, place of residence (rural/urban), income quintile, and province.

Results: MPs consumption in Iran increased from 15.8% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 18.8% after.After COVID-19, the provinces with the highest MPs consumption were Markazi (43.7%), Guilan (39.2%), and Qom (34.3%). In contrast, the lowest consumption rates were observed in Lorestan (5.6%), Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (5.6%), and Sistan and Baluchistan (6.1%). Overall, MPs consumption increased across all provinces and socioeconomic groups after the pandemic. Households led by women were more likely to consume MPs, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.280 (95% CI, 1.083-1.516, P = 0.010). Similarly, married heads had a higher likelihood of MPs consumption (aOR, 1.630 [95% CI, 1.161-2.297]; P = 0.010). Households with more educated members also showed increased odds (aOR, 1.380 [95% CI, 1.163-1.629]; P < 0.001). Rural residents had lower odds compared to urban residents (aOR, 0.830 [95% CI, 0.781-0.876]; P < 0.001). Higher-income quintiles were associated with increased MPs consumption, particularly in the fifth quintile (aOR, 1.800 [95% CI, 1.592-2.025]; P < 0.001). Additionally, COVID-19 significantly raised MPs consumption compared to prepandemic levels (aOR, 1.290 [95% CI, 1.212-1.367]; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: MPs consumption in Iranian households increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but these increases were not uniform across all socioeconomic and demographic groups. Health policymakers must address the quality, safety, and efficacy of MPs, their interactions with conventional pharmaceutical treatments, and the potential economic consequences associated with increased utilization.