Herbal use among patients with advanced cancer: a secondary data analysis using a model of World Health Organization (WHO) medication adherence

Abstract

Patients with advanced cancer often experience numerous distressing symptoms that can significantly affect their quality of life. In addition to standard therapies, many patients use herbal remedies to manage symptoms, alleviate pain, or enhance their overall well-being. However, studies examining the use of herbal treatments in this population are limited in the literature. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the factors influencing herbal use among patients with advanced cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) model of medication adherence was also incorporated into this study. This observational study utilized secondary data collected from hospitals in West Java. The study started from September to November 2016. The study employed a demographic questionnaire, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and the Palliative Management Questionnaire to gather comprehensive data from participants. Descriptive statistics were utilized to effectively summarize and present the characteristics of the study participants. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictor variables by modeling the logit function, which represents the natural logarithm of the odds ratio. The study reported that pain, fatigue, decreased appetite, vomiting, and nausea were identified as the five most prevalent symptoms experienced by patients during their care. Soursop leaves emerged as the most commonly preferred herbal treatment among participants in this study. Key factors influencing the use of herbal remedies included female gender, low-income levels, distress-related symptoms, perceived effectiveness of herbal treatments, and specific cancer types—most notably head and neck cancers. These findings highlight the critical need to integrate herbal remedies into conventional cancer care practices while encouraging further research focused on evaluating their efficacy and safety profiles.