Characterization of kratom use and knowledge at a rural, Oregon community health center

Background

Kratom is an herbal supplement that has drawn attention for its use in the self-treatment of opioid withdrawal, and its widespread availability with minimal restrictions. Past Web-based research has attempted to determine patterns and trends of use, but generalizability to underserved populations is unclear.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to characterize behavior related to kratom, attitudes toward kratom, and knowledge of kratom in a rural, underserved population.

Methods

We developed, refined, and administered a cross-sectional, 36-item survey to examine use, attitudes, and knowledge of kratom. We recruited participants and administered the survey alongside medical office appointments between January and April 2023. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results

A convenient sample of 186 patients (of the 907-patient clinic panel) were invited to participate and 150 returned the survey. Most patients were female (52.0%) and white (86.6%), and approximately half had an income below the federal poverty level (48.5%). Seventeen participants reported previous experience with kratom use, with one actively using kratom. The most commonly reported reasons for use were pain (47.1%) and mental health (41.2%). Kratom knowledge was low regardless of kratom use history, with most respondents correctly answering between 1 and 3 questions (n = 71 of 86; 82.3%) of the 5 knowledge-focused items.

Conclusion

Results suggest that although active kratom use is uncommon in this Oregon population, 1 in 10 surveyed had used kratom. Regardless of past use, respondents had limited knowledge of kratom. Future research should focus on understanding trends in kratom use behaviors in underserved populations, addressing patient knowledge gaps, and evaluating patient safety and health equity implications.