Self medication practices and its determinants in health care professionals during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic: cross-sectional study

Background The exposure of health care professionals (HCP) to patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the course of performing their professional duties may expose them to contracting the virus. This may likely increase their tendency to self-medicate for prevention or treatment of perc...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Okoye, Ogochukwu Chinedum, Adejumo, Oluseyi Ademola, Opadeyi, Abimbola Olubukunola, Madubuko, Cynthia Roli, Ntaji, Maureen, Okonkwo, Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka, Edeki, Imuetinyan Rashidat, Agboje, Uchechukwu Oby, Alli, Oladimeji Emmanuel, Ohaju-Obodo, John Oghenevwirhe
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Springer International Publishing 2022
Materias:
Research Article
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8754192/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35022953
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-021-01374-4
Descripción
Sumario:Background The exposure of health care professionals (HCP) to patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the course of performing their professional duties may expose them to contracting the virus. This may likely increase their tendency to self-medicate for prevention or treatment of perceived infection. Aim This study determined the prevalence of COVID-19 related self-medication and its determinants among HCPs in three tertiary hospitals in Southern Nigeria. Method This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 669 adult HCPs from three tertiary hospitals in three Southern Nigerian States using a non-probability convenience sampling method. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry and analysis were done using IBM SPSS version 22. Results The mean age of the respondents was 35.6 ± 8.7 years. Two hundred and forty-three respondents (36.3%) reported having practiced COVID-19 related self-medication. The commonly used medications were ivermectin, azithromycin, vitamin C, chloroquine and zinc. Factors associated with self-medication were older age (p =  < 0.0001), being pharmacist (p = 0.03), higher income (p =  < 0.0001), previous COVID-19 testing (p < 0.001). Predictors of self medication were > 44 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio[AOR]:2.77,95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.62–4.75, p =  < 0.0001), previous COVID-19 testing (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.82–3.94, p =  < 0.0001). Conclusion About one-third of HCPs practiced COVID-19 related self-medication. HCPs that are often assumed to be health literate may not necessarily practice safe health behavior. Regular health education of the HCPs on implications of self-medications is highly recommended. There should also be formulation and effective implementation of policies that regulate purchase of medications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11096-021-01374-4.

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