SELF MEDICATION: CURRENT CHALLENGE TO FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 IN INDIA

Abstract

Common cold, cough and fever are the initial symptoms of COVID 19, if the people opt the self medication for the treatment for the initial symptoms, that results delayed diagnosis of COVID-19. The present study was carried to find out the percentage of people taking self medication who are probably associated with COVID-19. This type of study will provide useful data to policy makers and regulatory authorities for streamlining the fight against COVID-19. A cross sectional study was performed in 10 urban residential colonies of Mandsaur, a district headquarters of Madhya Pradesh (India). The study was performed using Google forms during 22-25 May 2020 during lockdown. The language of the questionnaire was Hindi. The sample size was calculated using Chi square formula with the level of a precision of 0.05; the minimum sample size was calculated to be 495. There were total 495 subjects participated in the survey, out of which 65.46% were males and 34.54% were females. Among all subjects, 43.4% were graduates and 20.6% were post graduates, and rests were intermediate or less educated. In terms of occupation, 49.4% subjects were doing their own business, whereas about 37% were associated with government or private job. Male subjects (68.2%) preferred more self medication then female subjects (57.3%) with a p-value of 0.015. Subjects with intermediate or below education were found practicing more self medication than graduates and post graduates. Less earning participants such as daily wages workers, unemployed persons and students preferred more self medication. Majority of subjects were using self medication for the treatment of symptoms like common cold, fever and cough. But in current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, we suggest to avoiding self medication and follow instructions of Government authorities, if you found symptoms like common cold, fever and cough or suspect of infection of COVID-19.