Knowledge Management of Household Herb Use for Older Adults’ Health Care in Lampang Province
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Abstract
This mixed-methods research aimed to examine household herb use behaviors and to extract lessons learned regarding knowledge of household herb use for older adults’ health care in Lampang Province. The sample consisted of 397 older adults aged 60-75 years for the quantitative study, and 15 participants for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The research instruments included (1) a 44-item questionnaire on knowledge management of household herb use for older adults’ health care in Lampang Province, with content validity verified through IOC values ranging from 0.84 to 1.00 and reliability (α) of 0.92, and (2) an interview guide on knowledge management of household herb use for older adults’ health care in Lampang Province. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, and standard deviations; qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings showed that most participants (76.83%) had used herbs for health care. More than half (69.52%) had a high level of knowledge about herb use, and more than half (67.51%) used herbs by consuming them fresh or incorporating them into food. Nearly half (49.12%) demonstrated a moderate level of herb-use behavior. Qualitative findings indicated that the older adult participants had very good knowledge of herbs and could accurately describe their properties and how to use them. In addition, older adult participants demonstrated basic knowledge of common household herbs, such as ginger, Andrographis paniculata, turmeric, and garlic, reflecting local wisdom that can appropriately support older adults’ health. These findings reflect an understanding of traditional herbal medicine integrated with modern scientific information.
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