Prevalence and reasons for self‐medication for prevention of COVID‐19 among the adult population in Kermanshah‐Iran

Abstract

Abstract Aim To determine the prevalence of self‐medication and reasons for self‐medication (SM) for the prevention/treatment of COVID‐19 among the adult population. Design Cross‐sectional study. Methods This study was performed on 147 adults in Kermanshah, Iran. Data were collected by a researcher‐made questionnaire and analysed by SPSS‐18 software using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The prevalence of SM in the participants was 69.4%. Vitamin D and vitamin B complex were the most commonly used drugs. The most common symptoms leading to SM were fatigue and rhinitis. Strengthening the immune system and prevention of COVID‐19 (48%) were the main reasons for SM. Factors related to SM included marital status [OR = 8.04, 95% CI = (3.62, 17.83)], education [OR = 0.16, 95%CI = (0.08, 0.35)] and monthly income [OR = 0.09, 95%CI = (0.03, 0.26)]. Patient or Public Contribution Yes

Keywords

• COVID‐19
• prevalence
• prevention
• self‐medication
• treatment