Home Remedy Practices Among Stay-at-Home COVID-19 Patients in Bangladesh

Abstract

During the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh lacked treatments and immunizations, so patients used several home remedies to heal themselves. This study was conducted among stay-at-home COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh to determine their awareness of the disease and establish correlations between COVID-19 symptoms and the use of home remedies. This is a cross-sectional study that employed a convenient sampling technique. Primary data were collected using a convenient sampling technique from various demographic bases. Data was gathered through 70 face-to-face interviews and an online survey with 276 participants using a semi-structured questionnaire. Participants were from different regions and districts of Bangladesh. In total, 346 respondents participated in the study from May to August 2021. Nearly equal numbers of males and females of various ages participated. More than half of the participants were aged 21-30. Dhaka had the highest participation rate (82%). The study found that 95% of people were aware of the need to consult a doctor, and 99% of participants took the COVID-19 test. 46% of the participants were isolated for 1-2 weeks. Fever, dry cough, loss of smell, tiredness and fatigue, and aches and pains were the most commonly reported symptoms. 77% of the study's participants checked their O2 saturation level daily. Participants with and without various comorbid diseases used home remedies, like drinking honey-ginger tea, taking vapors or steam, eating more citrus fruits, frequent hand washing etc. In Bangladesh, home remedies such as citrus fruits, honey-ginger tea, steam inhalation, hand washing, and mask usage were common among stay-at-home COVID-19 patients due to limited medical access. Despite seeking medical advice and testing, patients still prefer home care. This study emphasizes the need to understand these patterns and conduct further research to evaluate efficacy and inform policy development.