Level of knowledge and attitude towards medicinal plants in high school students of an educational institution

Abstract

The research focused on determining the relationship between knowledge about medicinal plants and attitudes towards them in secondary school students. It was a basic study of a correlational-descriptive nature, using the general scientific method and, specifically, the hypothetico-deductive approach. The population consisted of secondary school students from an educational institution in Conayca - Huancavelica. From this group, 61 students were selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. They were then administered a 40-item questionnaire designed to assess both their level of knowledge about medicinal plants and their attitude towards them. This questionnaire was validated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.61). The main results Students consider that traditional herbal medicine has its cultural basis and can be effective in some cases, but is not always the best option for treating serious or complex diseases; however, a balance between traditional medicine and modern medical practices is necessary.