LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE UTILIZATION OF PLANTS AS MEDICINE IN PRODUCTIVE AGE

Abstract

Background: Knowledge on the benefit of medicinal plants is commonly generated from experiences passed down generations. The objective of this research is to analyze the factors related with the utilization of plants as medicine.

Method: This research is an analytic observational research with a cross sectional design that involves 79 subjects. Furthermore, this study was conducted in October 2020 and data were collected through guided interviews and filling out questionnaires for socio-demographic data, level of knowledge and its utilization. Also, sampling was done by consecutive non-random sampling, and data analysis used SPSS V.25, Chi-square statistical tests with a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Out of 79 subjects we discover that the average age level of the subjects are 40.02 ± 10.12 years old, dominated by females, housewives, Javanese, and with income level of below regional minimum wage. Research result shows that 72.1% of respondents possess decent level of knowledge and the level of medicinal plant utilization is at 67.1%. Based on Chi Square test, there is a significant relationship between level of knowledge and the utilization of plants as medicine (p=0.019). Meanwhile sex, level of education, and economic level possess insignificant relationship with the utilization of plants as medicine.

Conclusion: The level of knowledge possesses significant relationship with the utilization of plants as medicine,

Keywords :  knowledge, age, education, economic status