Lycopene for Hypertension and Factors Affecting Its Use: A Survey of Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Purpose
To better understand and assess the potential obstacles to the adoption of lycopene for treating high blood pressure.
Methods
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted by administering a survey to 42 Howard University College of Pharmacy students.
Descriptive statistics and risk estimates were calculated using statistical package for social studies (SPSS) software.
Results
Only 33.3% of students had ever heard of lycopene, and lycopene knowledge score was poor among 88% of respondents. Non-
D.C. residence, dietary supplement use and the belief that dietary supplements such as lycopene interact with prescription drugs and
should be used cautiously, were all correlated with a lesser risk of having poor lycopene knowledge. Annual income >$40,000 was
correlated with a greater risk of being in the poor lycopene knowledge group. Despite this data, 59.5% report that will incorporate
more lycopene into their diet.
Conclusion
Lycopene knowledge is generally poor among the observed cohort; however, this does not seem to be a great obstacle in the path
of adoption.