The scenario of self-medication practices during the covid-19 pandemic; a systematic review

Self-medication association with an ongoing pandemic is evident in the studies conducted throughout the world. To summarize the findings of previous papers, we carried out a systematic review to observe the current scenario of self-medication during COVID-19.

Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, MedRxiv preprints, SciELO Preprints, google, and google scholar were searched using keywords related to the topic. Studies reporting original data and assessing the self-medication practices during Covid-19 were included.

A total of 660 papers were collected and 14 cross-sectional studies among them were finalized from 12 different countries after apposite screening processes. Our study measured that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 44.786% prevalence of self-medication. Analgesics, antibiotics, and nutritional supplements were commonly practiced drugs. Pharmacy and hospital outlets were the main sources of the drugs. Fever, sore throat, body ache (muscle pain), and flu or cough were among the most frequently recorded illnesses; treatment and prevention of COVID-19 were the main culprit behind self-medication. During COVID-19, the major factors associated with self-medication were fear, anxiety, and perception regarding COVID-19. Thus, in this pandemic, fear, anxiety, and rumors regarding immunity boosters, nutritional supplements, financial burden, and easy accessibility to even non-OTC drugs; all have their fair share in self-medication practices.

As there was heterogeneity regarding COVID-19 and self-medication found among the assessed studies, educating general people about safe self-medication practices, hazards of superfluous drug usage, and provision of an affordable quality-health system should become a priority, especially in low and middle-income countries.