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Knowledge, attitude and prevalence of ivermectin use as coronavirus disease treatment: A crosssectional study among a
Tar'ali Filza Nur Athirah1, Abdul Jalil Aina Amanina2, Nor Afendi Nor Safwan Hadi2
1BPharm, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Introduction:
During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a widespread public misconception regarding ivermectin use in managing the disease. There is no approval of ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment by the Food and Drug Administration, and the adverse effects of the drug are alarming. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude towards and prevalence of ivermectin use as COVID-19 treatment among the Malaysian population.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 391 Malaysians aged ≥18 years. A validated online self-administered questionnaire disseminated via Google Forms was used to evaluate the knowledge and attitude towards and prevalence of ivermectin use as COVID-19 treatment. The socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitude towards and prevalence of ivermectin use among the respondents were evaluated through descriptive analysis. The chi-square test was used to identify the association between the variables.
Results:
The respondents had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude towards ivermectin use, while the prevalence of ivermectin use was 3.58%. The respondents' sex (P=0.014), age (P=0.012) and monthly income (P=0.049) were significantly associated with their level of knowledge. The respondents' sex (P=0.04) was significantly associated with their level of attitude. Conversely, no socio-demographic characteristics were significantly associated with the prevalence of ivermectin use as COVID-19 treatment.
Conclusion:
The majority of Malaysians have moderate levels of knowledge and attitude towards ivermectin use as COVID-19 treatment, with a low prevalence of actual use.
Insights
Malaysians show moderate knowledge and attitudes regarding ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment, with a low prevalence of its actual use. This highlights a gap in understanding despite public misconceptions during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic saw widespread public misconceptions about ivermectin's efficacy.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment, and its adverse effects are a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess knowledge and attitudes towards ivermectin use for COVID-19 treatment in Malaysia.
- To determine the prevalence of ivermectin use for COVID-19 among the Malaysian population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 391 Malaysian adults (≥18 years).
- Validated online self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data.
- Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests were employed to analyze socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and prevalence.
Main Results:
- Respondents exhibited moderate knowledge and attitudes regarding ivermectin for COVID-19.
- The prevalence of ivermectin use for COVID-19 treatment was 3.58%.
- Socio-demographic factors like sex, age, and income were associated with knowledge and attitude, but not with prevalence of use.
Conclusions:
- The Malaysian population generally possesses moderate knowledge and attitudes concerning ivermectin for COVID-19.
- Despite moderate awareness, the actual prevalence of ivermectin use for COVID-19 treatment remains low in Malaysia.
