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Self medication practices and its determinants in health care professionals during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic: cross-sectional study.
- Source :
-
International journal of clinical pharmacy [Int J Clin Pharm] 2022 Apr; Vol. 44 (2), pp. 507-516. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Jan 12. - Publication Year :
- 2022
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Abstract
- 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.<br /> (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2210-7711
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of clinical pharmacy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 35022953
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-021-01374-4