Prevalencia de las prácticas de automedicación con fármacos usados para el tratamiento de COVID-19 en la población adulta del cantón Loja-Ecuador en el contexto de la pandemia y factores relacionados con la automedicación: Estudio transversal. Período enero-marzo 2022

Abstract

Self-medication is a public health problem, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires a timely and priority approach. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication with drugs used in preventive therapy or

treatment for COVID-19 in the adult population of the Loja canton, Ecuador. The study was cross- sectional analytical through a survey applied to 440 participants. Bivariate statistics with

prevalence ratio (PR) were used to test the association of variables (self-medication with

motivation, perception of relief, and sociodemographic characteristics). The probability of self- medication according to sociodemographic characteristics was predicted by multivariable logistic

regression (p<0.05). The prevalence of self-medication was 52.3%, mainly with paracetamol (89.1%), ibuprofen (50.0%), azithromycin (23.9%) and ivermectin (16.1%). The motivation in 93.9% of adults was to present symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as fever (63.9%), muscle pain (44.8%) and sore throat (42.2%). 45.4% of participants had the perception of relief of all their symptoms with self-medication. The variables associated with self-medication were area of residence, level of education and motivation (p < 0.05). The probability of self-medication increases in the urban area (= 1.988; p=0.025) and in the second level of education (= 0.508; p=0.001). Finally, it was concluded that living in the urban area of the Loja canton, having a medium level of education and having a motivation for it (eg. prophylaxis, symptoms, suspicion or positive diagnosis of COVID-19) are risk factors for self-medication. 19).