Determination of herbal product use conditions of the elderly during The COVID-19 pandemic process

The research was done in the descriptive type for the purpose of identification of the use of herbal products by the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample group of the research was appointed in the city of Kırşehir; 268 individuals aged 65 and over, registered in Aşıkpaşa Family Health Centers, located in the city center. The data were obtained from the "Database", which was created by the researchers by examining the relevant literature. It was collected using the "Collection Form". Numbers, percentages, mean and Ki-Square tests were used in the process of analysing the data. 18.3% of the elderly have been using the herbs for the treatment of COVID-19, 64.6% of the elderly people have been using the herbs for prophylactic purposes - to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19 and 77.2% of them for any reason other than COVID-19. Before and after the COVID-19 pandemic the most commonly used herbal products have been citrus fruits, garlic, vinegar, mint, linden and rose hips and the frequency of use of these herbal products has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 61.9% of the elderly admitted to have heard about the herbal products from their friends and neighbors and 44.8% of them stated that there was an increase in the budget that they spent on herbal products during the pandemic. The rate of use of herbal products is higher in the working elderly compared to the non-working and in those who do not experience problems in transportation to the health institution compared to those who do (p<0.05). The herbal products are more likely to be used by the elderly people who have contracted COVID-19 and by those who remain in hospital or home quarantine as suspected patients of COVID-19. (p<0.05). Healthcare professionals are advised to gather additional data on the use of herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic and develop effective counseling strategies. xi Keywords: Herbal products, COVID-19, elderly