Covid-19 Pandemic, Communicable Diseases and Consumption of Dietary and Herbal Supplements in Sub-Sahara African Setting-Nigeria

Abstract

Susan J Holdbrooke, Bamgboye M Afolabi, Kafilat O Kareem, Mercy T Sanni and Eloho M Oyeh

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic brought about changes in the livelihood of most people around the globe, including variations in intake of dietary and herbal supplements (DHS) during the pandemic.

Objectives: To evaluate the dynamics of dietary and herbal supplements intake by persons already diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immuno-deficient Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis (Hep) during the pandemic in Nigeria.

Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Setting: Within the geographical location and boundary of the country only.

Participants: Adolescents, and adults residing in Nigeria. Respondents with TB, HIV and Hepatitis (n = 243) from a larger study (n=645) were recruited from different geo-political zones and various ethnic groups.

Primary and Secondary Outcomes: Prevalence and determinants for the use of different DHS during Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, sources of information and reasons for use of these DHS.

Results: HIV was the most prevalent communicable disease (95%) in the study. Most of the respondents increased their intake of supplements during the pandemic. Female respondents with HIV were slightly more likely to increase their consumption of supplements more than their male counterparts (χ2=0.09, P-value=0.77, OR=1.12, 95% CI=0.52, 2.45). Vitamin C was the most-consumed supplement by respondents with HIV (64.5%) and TB (60%) but the least by respondents with Hep (14.3%). Calcium (30, 13%) and zinc (16, 7%) were taken only by respondents with HIV. Maintenance of good health was the main reason for increased consumption of DHS and health-care providers were the major source of information on the use of DHS during the pandemic.

Conclusions: HIV was most prevalent among the respondents. There was increased consumption of DHS and Vitamin C was the most consumed supplement during Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, The use of DHS by Nigerians with communicable diseases should be explored further to ascertain their usefulness or otherwise during illness or a future pandemic.

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