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Perception and self-medication practices among the general population during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Mangalore, India.

BACKGROUND
The practice of self-medication appears to be much more rampant during COVID times. Hence, awareness about the consequences of self-medication practices among the general population is essential, especially during the ongoing pandemic.


OBJECTIVES
To study the prevalence of and perception towards self-medication and their determinants among the general population of Mangalore.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was done during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2021. Data were collected using a Microsoft soft form disseminated among residents of Mangalore through WhatsApp and email.


RESULTS
The mean age of the 225 participants in this study was 34.5±15.2 years. Self-medication practice was indulged by 77(34.2%) out of the total participants. The most common symptom for which self-medication was practiced was for common cold [54(70.1%)], and the most commonly used drug was paracetamol [67(87%)]. 167(74.2%) participants felt that self-medication practices were harmful. 116 (51.6%) participants felt that the advertisements in mass media and social media promoted self-medication practices among people. Out of the 69(30.7%) participants who felt that self-medication practice was acceptable during COVID times, the majority [66(95.6%)] felt that it was better to avoid visiting any doctor or health care facility presently to avoid acquiring COVID-19. In the multivariable analysis, participants with a history of self-medication among their family members, relatives, or friends were more likely to indulge in self-medication (p<0.001). Perceptions that self-medication practices were harmful were more among females (p=0.0397).


CONCLUSION
One-third of the participants indulged in self-medication practice. One-fourth of the participants felt that self-medication practices were not harmful. One-third felt it was acceptable, and most of them felt so to avoid the risk of contracting the Coronavirus infection. Awareness generation of its hazards, particularly among males and those with a family history of self-medications, is required at Mangalore.