Assessment of Self-Medication Pattern During Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease in Himachal Pradesh, a Northwestern Himalayan Region of India

Background: Self-medication (SM) is a major global health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited healthcare access. During Coronavirus disease, fear, misinformation, and restricted services worsened the problem. This study examined SM prevalence, patterns, and determinants in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Purpose: This research aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and awareness of self-medication (SM) during the Coronavirus disease outbreak in the general public when no preventive or curative therapy was available.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional, web-based survey was carried out from January to May 2021 using a pre-validated questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. Owing to pandemic-related constraints, convenience sampling was employed. Eligible participants were residents of Himachal Pradesh aged ≥18 years who provided informed consent. Respondents with incomplete submissions or reporting multiple drug use for unrelated conditions were excluded. Of 654 initial responses, 527 met the criteria for analysis. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and clinical data, and chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables.

Results: Among the 527 respondents, 48.5% were male and 51.5% female; nearly half (48.5%) were aged 25–35 years. Fever (30.4%) was the most frequently reported reason for SM, followed by sore throat (19.4%) and weakness (16.7%). Commonly self-administered medicines included paracetamol (33.6%), azithromycin (21.8%), and doxycycline (14.6%). Only 24% reported obtaining medicines on a physician’s advice, while pharmacies and personal networks were predominant information sources. Chi-square analysis revealed a statistically significant association between education level and drug choice (p < 0.05). Notably, 85% of participants were unaware of the risks of overdose or adverse effects.

Conclusion: The study concludes that 24% of respondents took medication on a physician’s advice, while the remaining 76% sought SM. Inappropriate self-medication might result in irrational treatment and serious health issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to monitor and manage SM-related practices. SM was widely practiced in Himachal Pradesh during the Coronavirus disease pandemic, driven by limited healthcare availability and misinformation. Targeted public health education, stricter regulation of over-the-counter drug sales, and community-level awareness initiatives are essential to address this issue.