(P30-015-25) Attitudes and Practices Regarding Dietary Supplements: A Cross-Cultural Study

Objectives: To evaluate the attitudes and practices regarding dietary supplement use, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements/remedies, in adults in Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iran between February 2024 and June 2024 as part of a multi-site study. Data were collected using a 42-item questionnaire covering five domains: demographics (12 items), physical activity (4 items), lifestyle (3 items), dietary supplement use (14 items), and attitudes toward dietary supplements (9 items). Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results: A total of 300 adults participated in the survey (mean age 45.2 ± 14.5 years), with the majority being women (63.7%). The most commonly used supplements were multivitamins, vitamin/mineral combinations, and B vitamins (44.3%, 44.3%, and 33.3%, respectively). Women and individuals with higher education levels were significantly more likely to use supplements compared to men and those with lower education levels (55.0% vs. 25.7%, p < 0.001; 60.5% vs. 42.6%, p=0.031). Herbal and botanical supplements commonly used included curcumin/turmeric (51.3%) and ginger (48%). Illness prevention and physical wellness were the primary reasons for supplement use (62.7%), with doctors being the most common source of recommendations (28.7%). Pharmacies were the primary source of supplement acquisition (38%). Notably, 75.7% of participants reported being uninformed about potential side effects, and 37.0% preferred dietary supplements over prescribed medications. Key factors influencing supplement use included illness or symptoms (50%), a new healthcare practitioner (30%), the COVID-19 pandemic, and relationship changes.

Conclusions: This study highlights the widespread use of dietary supplements in Iran, with significant differences in usage patterns by gender and education. A substantial gap exists in participants' awareness of potential side effects, emphasizing the need for targeted educational programs to promote informed and safe supplement use.

Funding Sources: This study was funded by an award from the Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare at Utica University.