Dietary Supplement Use Among Students of Pharmacy Colleges in the City of Karachi, Pakistan: Prevalence, Opinions, and Attitudes

Abstract

This study was conducted among pharmacy students in Karachi, Pakistan, to document prevalence, opinions and their attitudes toward dietary supplement (DS) use. A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of four months. The study used a specially formulated dietary supplement questionnaire (DSQ). The prevalence of DS use was reported at 48.2%: 51% in males and 47.3% in females. Physician recommendation was cited by majority of students as reason for DS use (n = 153, 25%). Most of the students used multivitamins (n = 315, 51.5%). The average monthly cost attributed to DS use was reported at PKR 1,396.3 (USD 13.55). For every year increase in age, DS use in students decreased (OR = 0.917). Male students were more likely to recommend DS use (OR = 1.425). The most noteworthy finding was the cautious approach of students as the majority reported DS use only upon recommendation of a physician.

Keywords: Pakistan; attitudes; dietary supplements; health promotion; nutraceuticals; opinions; pharmaceuticals; pharmacy students; prevalence; social pharmacy.