SELF-MEDICATION FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC-A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY IN GENERAL POPULATION

SARITA PANIGRAHY; DEEPANJANA DASS; SUNIL KUMAR PANDEY; DAMERA MEHER SHEENA

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2024v16i6.50520

Authors

SARITA PANIGRAHY Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology Visakhapatnam-530048, Andhra Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3023-4134
DEEPANJANA DASS MGM Medical College, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra-410209, India https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8161-4526
SUNIL KUMAR PANDEY Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology Visakhapatnam-530048, Andhra Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9743-0653
DAMERA MEHER SHEENA Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology Visakhapatnam-530048, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2024v16i6.50520

Keywords:

COVID-19, Prevention, Self medication pattern

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the pattern and reasons for self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The present study was an exploratory cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire was meant to be filled up by those who were older than 18 y and could read and write English. The questionnaire (related to socio-demographic status, pattern, and reasons for self-medication) was designed and validated by a committee of faculties in the department of pharmacology through a peer review process and sent through mail, WhatsApp, and other means of social media. A non-parametric Chi-square test was used to test relationships between categorical variables.

Results: The responses of 557 participants were analyzed; among them, the majority were females as compared to males. There was a significant difference (^*p = 0.02) in the pattern of self-medication between the males (38%) and females (62%), and most of the participants used self-medication as a preventive measure for COVID-19 (39%). Fear of going out (13%) during COVID-19 was the main single reason for self-medication. Arsenic Album 30 was the most frequently used homeopathic formulation (26%).

Conclusion: This study showed that apprehension, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, was the main impulse for self-medication.

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