International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences
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editorijpbs@rediffmail.com (or) editorofijpbs@yahoo.com (or) prasmol@rediffmail.com
10.22376/ijpbs.2019.10.1.p1-12
Volume 14 Issue 1
January - March
Self-Medication Practices Among the General Public During COVID-19 Pandemic Era-A Cross- Sectional Study.
The practice of self-medication in the general public reached to highest level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital admissions are less during the third wave. Most of the COVID-19 patients took treatment from home during 3rd wave. This study aims to evaluate the self-medication methods and practices in the general public and its impact on society. This retrospective observational cross-sectional study and the sample size were taken as 350 based on a previous study. The general public was approached via digital and social platforms and was given a pretested and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and sent as Google Forms. The questions are being given regarding self-medication practices. The education status of about 91% of the participants is graduation and higher. Sources of information for 67% of participants were doctors, 13% were family and friends, and 9% were pharmacies. 44% of them took self-medication for the prevention of COVID-19, and the majority of these people preferred homeopathy medication. About 54.4% of people took self-medication in the past 6 months for cold, cough, and sore throat. About 55% of them took antihistamines and vitamins D and C to relieve symptoms. In addition, 22% of the participants took antibiotics like Azithromycin-500mg once daily and Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid twice a day 650 mg for 5 days to relieve the symptoms. The availability of drugs at home was one of the significant reasons for following self-medication practice, according to 52% of them. 44% of them reported 100% improvement in their symptoms. However, about 15% of them experienced mild adverse effects, like diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, with their self-medications. Self-medication without proper guidance and knowledge regarding the medicines is not advisable. Irrational use of drugs, especially antibiotics, can lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Sindhura Nagisetty, T. Tulasi Madhuri, J. Naga Sreenivasulu, K.P. Poojitha, B. Ramesh and P. Jagadeesh.
Self-Medication, COVID-19, Pandemic, General Public, Antibiotics, Over-The-Counter Drugs.
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