Factors associated with the consumption of chlorine dioxide to prevent and treat COVID-19 in the Peruvian population: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Chlorine dioxide has been promoted as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, especially in Peru, despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption in the Peruvian population. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study. An adult Peruvian population was evaluated where chlorine dioxide consumption was divided into two groups according to the purpose of use: as prevention (individuals without COVID-19 history) and as treatment (individuals with COVID-19 history). The associated factors in each group were evaluated using Poisson regressions with the bootstrapping resampling method. Results Of 3610 participants included, 3213 reported no history of COVID-19, and 397 had been infected. The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to prevent or treat COVID-19 was 8 and 16%, respectively. Factors either positively or negatively associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for prevention were male sex (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.09–1.71), being an adult or older adult (aPR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35–0.82), having a health sciences student within the family unit (aPR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.02–1.87), using medical information as the main source of information of COVID-19 (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.80), having comorbidities for COVID-19 (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01–1.82), considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.45–0.74), using medications (aPR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.25–2.06) and plants to prevent COVID-19 (aPR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.21–2.36), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.18–0.24), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.16–0.28). In addition, factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for treatment were considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33–0.96), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12–0.42), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07–0.32). Conclusions The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to treat COVID-19 was higher than prevent. It is important to apply information strategies, prioritizing population groups with certain characteristics that are associated with a higher consumption pattern.

Association between prehospital medication and fatal outcomes in a cohort of hospitalized patients due to coronavirus disease-2019 in a referral hospital in Peru

“…As noted by the authors, infodemia through social networks, conferences, chats, or daily conversations, sharing supposedly successful experiences of COVID-19 treatment, could explain the increased antibiotic usage before hospitalization, despite the known infrequent bacterial coinfections [ 20 ]. This is congruent with the persistence, almost 2 years after the beginning of the pandemic, in the discarded use of drugs by regulatory institutions, such as ivermectin or chlorine dioxide [ [37] , [38] , [39] ]. This means cultural and information dissemination aspects must be addressed as public health policies.…”

Epidemiological Characteristics of Deaths from COVID-19 in Peru during the Initial Pandemic Response

“…Other aspects that would explain the high proportion of home fatalities were self-medication and insufficient oxygen supply. At first, a significant fraction of the population preferred to self-medicate with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, ivermectin, and even chlorine dioxide, instead of going to a hospital, died in their homes due to the rapid evolution of the disease [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Later, the supply of oxygen proved to be largely insufficient in public health facilities in the interior of the country as they did not have oxygen plants, which led people to decide to manage their family members at home, acquiring oxygen from private providers combined with the exaggerated increase in the cost of this service, so many families could not afford it.…”

Drug safety of frequently used drugs and substances for self-medication in COVID-19

“…Of 3610 adult Peruvian participants, they found a prevalence of 8% and 16% for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, respectively, indicating that chlorine dioxide is a substance being used for self-medication in COVID-19. 25 A recent systematic review regarding self-medication practices to prevent or manage COVID-19 found that the most frequently used medications were antibiotics, chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, vitamins or supplements, ivermectin, and ibuprofen. 15 However, other drugs such as aspirin were also reported by high-quality studies.…”

“…Of 3610 adult Peruvian participants, they found a prevalence of 8% and 16% for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, respectively, indicating that chlorine dioxide is a substance being used for self-medication in COVID-19. 25 …”