A Google Trends study on the interest in self-medication during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic

Onchonga, David

doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2020.06.007

Cited by 71 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This self-medication trend has been reported to have increased worldwide based in the number of Google searches since the pandemic started ( Onchonga, 2020 ). This global trend has caused a tremendous medical challenge ( Hughes et al, 2001 , Mandal, 2015 ) because the various prescription drugs currently approved for COVID-19 symptoms carry adverse drug reactions ( Onchonga et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Peru: A cross-sectional survey

Quispe-Cañari

Fidel-Rosales

Manrique

et al. 2021

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

186

149

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Peru: A cross-sectional survey

Quispe-Cañari

Fidel-Rosales

Manrique

et al. 2021

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

186

149

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“…A recently published google trends study on the interest in self-medication during COVID-19 pandemic indicated an upward trend. The study showed an increase in the number of searches for self-medication worldwide since the pandemic was declared, and this would be an indication of increased interests in self-medication across the globe ( Onchonga, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the prevalence of self-medication among healthcare workers before and during the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in Kenya

Onchonga

Omwoyo

Nyamamba

2020

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

Self Cite

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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.

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“…Although there have been studies on the prevalence of self-medication among healthcare workers [ 29 ] and the general public [ 30 ] before and during the COVID-19 pandemic attributed to the current pandemic, there are no detailed studies on the levels of anxiety and depression among healthcare workers in Kenya due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the state of anxiety and depression due to the novel 2019 coronavirus disease among frontier healthcare workers in Kenya.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety and depression due to 2019 SARS-CoV-2 among frontier healthcare workers in Kenya

Onchonga

Ngetich

Makunda

et al. 2021

Heliyon

Self Cite

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Background The novel coronavirus disease continues to spread across the globe, causing anxiety and depression among healthcare workers. Objectives The current study aimed to determine the levels of anxiety and depression due to the coronavirus pandemic among healthcare workers in Kenya. Methods A total sample of 476 respondents participated. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), together with a socio-demographic questionnaire, were used. Stratified sampling was used. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package Programme for Social Science Version 23.0.0. Kruskal Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to establish the difference in levels of anxiety and depression across the socio-economic characteristics. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to establish the predictors of levels of anxiety and associations were considered significant at p<0.05. Results From the total, 35.1% (n=167) had mild anxiety, and 13.4% (n=64) had severe anxiety. Approximately 53.6% (n=255) had mild depression while 9.2% (n=44) had severe depression. The univariate analysis illustrated a statistical difference in anxiety levels in gender (p>0.002), years of work experience (p=0.005), and the cadre of respondents (p=0.0028). Gender was statistically significant with the level of depression (p=0.045). About 62.6% (n=298) of healthcare workers had been trained, and only 9% (n=43) were confident in managing COVID-19 cases. A large proportion, 98% (n=458) had concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment. Conclusion The study findings indicated that the majority of healthcare workers had mild anxiety. Female healthcare workers were more likely to experience severe anxiety and depression. Also, levels of depression differed across different cadres of respondents.

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A Google Trends study on the interest in self-medication during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic

Cited by 71 publications

References 8 publications

Self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Peru: A cross-sectional survey

Self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Peru: A cross-sectional survey

Assessing the prevalence of self-medication among healthcare workers before and during the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in Kenya

Anxiety and depression due to 2019 SARS-CoV-2 among frontier healthcare workers in Kenya

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