Background Self-medication plays a key role in public health as it influences both negatively and positively on the health of individuals and the existing healthcare systems. This is especially the case during public health emergencies like the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 disease. Objectives The study aimed at assessing the prevalence of self-medication before and during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers and its associated factors. Methods Stratified sampling was used to select 379 study respondents. The authors developed an online questionnaire, pretested and submitted to various online professional groups of different cadres of healthcare workers. Collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data was presented in tables, graphs, percentages, and cross-tabulation with different variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to ascertain factors that influence an individual’s desire to self-medicate and associations were considered significant at p < 0.05. Results The overall prevalence of self-medication increased from 36.2% (n = 137) before the pandemic to 60.4% (n = 229) during the pandemic. The respondents' gender, level of education, age, marital status, participation in physical activity, and drug reaction events, were significantly associated with self-medication before and during the outbreak ( P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that participants engaging in physical activities, working during the day and being healthy were less likely to self-medicate ( p < 0.01). Conclusion Self-medication is an important health issue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuous awareness creation and sensitization could help in reducing self-medication practices among healthcare workers.

No abstract

Background The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed millions of people globally while significantly destroying the social, economic, and political wellbeing of people. The global pandemic has negatively impacted pregnant women's access to prenatal care. The current study sought to understand the health-seeking behaviour of women who were pregnant during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Methods The “Three Delay” model theoretical framework was applied to piece together the pregnant women's health-seeking behaviour during the early stages of the pandemic through focus group discussions. The collected qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results The delays in deciding to seek care, delays in reaching healthcare facilities and delays in receiving quality healthcare services at the healthcare facility were a result of the fear of contracting the virus. These delays were occasioned by participants’ personal experiences and uncertainties about COVID-19 pandemic, compulsory quarantines, national cessation of movements, compulsory lockdowns, loss of income to many households and the influence of traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Conclusion The current study found that fear of COVID-19 was a major factor that hindered access to maternal healthcare services. In this regard, there is a need to upscale awareness creation on the significance of seeking maternal health services during the pandemic to reduce the possibility of obliterating the gains made in reducing poor health-seeking behaviours among pregnant women.

Background Nurses’ burnout might affect their quality of life, productivity and nursing care services. Aim The aim of this systematic review was to systemically review the relationship between nurses’ burnout and quality of life and to introduce practical recommendations to reduce nurses’ BO and improve their QOL. Methods In April 2021, MeSH terms (("Nurses"[Mesh]) AND "Burnout, Professional"[Mesh]) AND "Quality of Life"[Majr] were used to search five electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection and Google Scholar. Results The search produced 21 studies exploring nurses’ burnout and their quality of life within the last ten years (2009–2021). Most of these studies found significant relationships between the burnout dimension(s) and quality of life dimension(s) among the nurses. Conclusion Nurses have moderate to high levels of burnout and were negatively associated with poor quality of life. Interventional programs are needed to decrease nurses’ burnout and improve their quality of life.