Self-Medication among Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Nigeria: Knowledge, Patterns, Practice and Associated Factors

Background: The scare from the morbidity and mortality caused by the novel COVID-19 disease has continued with no specific cure in sight and many persons, including health care providers have resorted to self-medication. The study was intended to ascertain the prevalence of self-medication against COVID-19 among health workers in Rivers State.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of health workers in Rivers State was carried out using self-administered questionnaires on self-medication against the COVID-19 disease from January 2021 to March 2021. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results are presented in charts and tables and a p-value of <0.05 was significant.Results: A total of 220 responses were received from health workers, 50% of whom worked in private hospitals. Only 35 (15.9%) of them reported to have ever indulged in self-medication for COVID-19. The most common drugs used for self-medication were Vitamin C, Zinc. Azithromycin, antimalarials (other than Hydroxychloroquine) and Hydroxychloroquine. Most medications were self-prescribed and procured from the pharmacies. Most persons (80%) who self-medicated did so for fear of being infected following contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases or following sudden emergency illnesses.Conclusion: Self-medication against COVID-19 is present among health workers in Rivers State and commonest among those who have tertiary level of education, those who are doctors and those who work in a public health facility.Key words: Self-medication, Health workers, Covid-19, Pandemic, Nigeria.