Self-Medication Practices During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective: Self-medication is a worldwide practice in which individuals, families, and/or communities choose pharmaceuticals to address health conditions without consulting a doctor. It impacts the health of people both negatively as well as positively. This study aims to determine the prevalence of self-medication for COVID-19 like symptoms during the pandemic. Methods: This is an online questionnaire-based survey on the perceptions and use of certain drugs for COVID-like symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. 168 people responded to the questionnaire. Results: Out of 168 respondents, 53.0% were males. 71.4% were below 30 years of age and, 25.6% were 31–60 years. The majority (72.6%) were unmarried. 50.0% had studied up to university level. 49.4% were unemployed. 39.9% were healthcare workers. 59.9% had suffered from respiratory symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. All those who developed symptoms had self-medicated. The most commonly used drugs were Paracetamol (85.0%), Azithromycin (58.0%), Expectorants (30.0%), Ivermectin (18.0%), Doxycycline (16.0%), Corticosteroids (7.0%), and Hydroxychloroquine (4.0%). The major sources of information about the disease and drugs were pharmacists (46.6%) and the internet (28.0%). Conclusion: There were significant percentages of self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the drugs without sufficient scientific evidence.

A systematic review of self-medication practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for pharmacy practice in supporting public health measures

“…The 62 included studies reported about the practice of on self-medication during COVID-19 in 29 different countries, of which 35 studies were from the Asian region namely Iran ( n = 5) ( 12 , 27 – 30 ), China ( 31 ), Indonesia ( n = 2) ( 32 , 33 ), Thailand ( 34 ), India ( n = 8) ( 11 , 35 – 41 ), Pakistan ( n = 5) ( 10 , 42 – 45 ), Turkey ( n = 3) ( 46 – 48 ), Bangladesh ( n = 5) ( 49 – 53 ), Saudi Arabia ( n = 3) ( 54 – 56 ), Jordan ( 57 ), Nepal ( 58 ); seven from Europe continent, Romania ( 59 ), Poland ( n = 2) ( 8 , 60 ), Netherlands ( n = 4) ( 61 – 64 ), Ireland ( 62 ), Norway ( n = 3) ( 62 – 64 ), Switzerland ( n = 2) ( 62 , 64 ), UK ( n = 2) ( 62 , 64 ), Sweden ( 63 ), Belgium ( 64 ); four from South America, Peru ( n = 3) ( 65 – 67 ), Colombia ( 68 ); three from North America, Mexico ( n = 3) ( 69 – 71 ); one from Oceania, Australia ( 72 ); and 12 from Africa, Kenya ( n = 2) ( 9 , 73 ), Togo ( n = 2) ( 74 , 75 ), Ethiopia ( 76 ), Nigeria ( n = 6) ( 77 – 82 ), and Sub-Saharan Africa ( 83 ).…”

“…Regarding the population, 30 studies were conducted targeting the general population ( 8 , 11 , 30 , 31 , 34 – 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 44 , 47 , 49 – 51 , 54 – 57 , 61 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 75 , 79 , 81 , 83 ), 10 was conducted in students ( 10 , 33 , 39 , 41 , 43 , 53 , 58 , 60 , 71 , 78 ), four in dental visit ( 12 , 29 , 45 , 46 ), three in healthcare workers ( 9 , 80 , 82 ), three in individuals visited medical stores and medical store owners ( 73 , 76 , 77 ), two in older adult ( 28 , 48 ), two in patient ( 27 , 66 ), one in COVID-19 recovered patients ( 52 ), one in mothers with school-age children ( 32 ), one in pregnant and breastfeeding women ( 62 ), one in pregnant and postpartum women ( 64 ), one in adults with a history of taking allopathic medication in the last month ( 37 ), one in five doctors with different specialties (interviews) and adults (survey) ( 59 ), one in people with symptoms related to anxiety and depression ( 69 …”

“…The study with the lowest prevalence (7.14%) was also from Bangladesh and investigated self-treatment of sleep disorders in the general population during the pandemic ( 49 ). There are seven studies reporting the prevalence of self-medication in India, ranging from 25 to 84.5% ( 11 , 35 , 37 – 41 ). Of these, self-medication use for anxiety in general population with medium to high socioeconomic status showed the lowest prevalence rate.…”

“…In Pakistan, the rate of self-medication behavior among medical students during the pandemic was as high as 83% ( 10 ). Self-medication behavior was also prevalent among the general public in India (59.9%) ( 11 ).…”

SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG 1st- AND 2nd-YEAR MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES

“…Sharma et al pointed out that self-reported practices among students regarding antibiotics were found to be satisfactory although not completely convincing [20]. During the COVID-19 wave, there was an increase in the self-medication practices in all the sectors among the public as well which was influenced by fear of getting COVID from health care facilities, ease of access to drugs, and internet with growth in information and communication [21].…”