FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SELF MEDICATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 AND ITS ADVERSE EFFECTS AMONG FACULTY AND RESIDENT DOCTORS IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL , WEST BENGAL

Abstract

Background: The practice of self medication is not recommended by the WHO in the context of COVID-19. 2 Inappropriate self medication has also shown to lead to adverse drug reactions.3,4 The psychological distress due to the pandemic adds to the incidences of unnecessary and irrational self medication. But practice of self medication seems to be high among doctors and medical students. The study tries to look into the factors associated with self medication. A cross sectional study done on 400 Doctors Methods: (including faculty members, junior residents and interns) in a medical college hospital in West Bengal, a questionnaire based study. Results: Majority of the subjects who suffered from COVID 19 took self medication for treatment but majority of the self medication did not follow WHO or ICMR guideline, rather they used self medication based on their personal experience or the prescription done by other doctors. As a result, number of medicine consumption was high during self medication, as compared to WHO or ICMR guidelines. Majority of the subjects were not aware about possible adverse effects of all the drugs. Almost 25% subjects had suffered from some mild adverse drug reaction , mostly diarrhea and rashes. There was no serious adverse reaction due to self medication. Self medication among doctors and medical undergraduates in this institute was Conclusions: high. Mild symptoms in majority of them and condence about own knowledge on covid were the primary reason for self medication. But they used more medications than actually needed as per the WHO/ICMR guidelines. Majority have insufcient idea about all possible adverse effects of the drugs.