Arnold J Sadio1,2, Fifonsi A Gbeasor-Komlanvi1,2, Rodion Y Konu1,2, Akila W Bakoubayi2, Martin K Tchankoni2, Alexandra M Bitty-Anderson3, Iris M Gomez2, Claudia P Denadou2, Joël Anani2, Harold R Kouanfack2, Innocent K Kpeto4, Mounerou Salou4,5, Didier K Ekouevi6,7,8,9. 1. Département de Santé Publique, Université de Lomé, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Lomé, Togo. 2. Centre Africain de Recherche en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo. 3. Programme PACCI - Site ANRS Côte d'Ivoire, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. 4. Conseil Scientifique pour la riposte à la pandémie Covid-19, Lomé, Togo. 5. Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et d'Immunologie, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo. 6. Département de Santé Publique, Université de Lomé, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Lomé, Togo. didier.ekouevi@gmail.com. 7. Centre Africain de Recherche en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo. didier.ekouevi@gmail.com. 8. Conseil Scientifique pour la riposte à la pandémie Covid-19, Lomé, Togo. didier.ekouevi@gmail.com. 9. Université de Bordeaux, INSERM U1219 Bordeaux Population Health Research, ISPED, Bordeaux, France. didier.ekouevi@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, there is no effective treatment for COVID-19, which is a pandemic disease, caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. In Togo, where four in five people practice self-medication, the absence of a cure for COVID-19 and the constant progression of the disease requires an assessment of self-medication patterns in the context of the pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-medication to prevent COVID-19 and its associated factors in Lomé, Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lomé, the capital city of Togo, from April 23rd to May 8th, 2020, with a sample of participants from five sectors: the healthcare, air transport, police, road transport and informal sectors. The participants were invited to provide information about their self-medication practices to prevent COVID-19 in the 2 weeks preceding the survey. RESULTS: A total of 955 participants (71.6% men) with a median age of 36 (IQR 32-43) were included. Approximately 22.1% were in the air transport sector, 20.5% were in the police sector, and 38.7% were in the health sector. The overall prevalence of self-medication to prevent COVID-19 was 34.2% (95% CI: 31.2-37.3%). The most commonly used products were vitamin C (27.6%) and traditional medicine (10.2%). Only 2.0% of participants reported using chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine. Female sex (aOR=1.90; p< 0.001), work in the health sector (aOR=1.89; p= 0.001), secondary education level (aOR= 2.28; p= 0.043) and university education level (aOR= 5.11; p< 0.001) were associated with self-medication. CONCLUSION: One-third of the individuals in high-risk populations in Lomé practiced self-medication. Intensifying awareness campaigns is crucial to fight misinformation about alleged COVID-19 prevention products on social media.
BACKGROUND: To date, there is no effective treatment for COVID-19, which is a pandemic disease, caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. In Togo, where four in five people practice self-medication, the absence of a cure for COVID-19 and the constant progression of the disease requires an assessment of self-medication patterns in the context of the pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-medication to prevent COVID-19 and its associated factors in Lomé, Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lomé, the capital city of Togo, from April 23rd to May 8th, 2020, with a sample of participants from five sectors: the healthcare, air transport, police, road transport and informal sectors. The participants were invited to provide information about their self-medication practices to prevent COVID-19 in the 2 weeks preceding the survey. RESULTS: A total of 955 participants (71.6% men) with a median age of 36 (IQR 32-43) were included. Approximately 22.1% were in the air transport sector, 20.5% were in the police sector, and 38.7% were in the health sector. The overall prevalence of self-medication to prevent COVID-19 was 34.2% (95% CI: 31.2-37.3%). The most commonly used products were vitamin C (27.6%) and traditional medicine (10.2%). Only 2.0% of participants reported using chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine. Female sex (aOR=1.90; p< 0.001), work in the health sector (aOR=1.89; p= 0.001), secondary education level (aOR= 2.28; p= 0.043) and university education level (aOR= 5.11; p< 0.001) were associated with self-medication. CONCLUSION: One-third of the individuals in high-risk populations in Lomé practiced self-medication. Intensifying awareness campaigns is crucial to fight misinformation about alleged COVID-19 prevention products on social media.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; Lomé-Togo; Prevention; SARS-CoV-2; Self-medication; Traditional medicine
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