Effectiveness of Prophylactic Drugs for COVID-19 among Healthcare Professionals- A Cross-sectional Observational Study
Introduction: The risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) infections among healthcare workers are far greater than those in the general population. A number of prophylactic drugs were being studied during this time for use by the Healthcare Professionals (HCP) who were the first contacts of...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/16949/55564_CE(AD)_F[SH]_PF1(RV_Ab_DA_SS)_PFA(SS)_PB(Ab_SS)_PN(SS)OM.pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
19) infections among healthcare workers are far greater than
those in the general population. A number of prophylactic drugs
were being studied during this time for use by the Healthcare
Professionals (HCP) who were the first contacts of an infested
patient, more so than the general population
Aim: To evaluate the drugs used for pre-exposure prophylaxis for
COVID-19 and their efficacy and safety among healthcare workers.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted
among two hundred and thirty seven healthcare professionals
after taking requisite permission from the Institutional Ethics
Committee (IHC). A prevalidated survey questionnaire containing
21 questions and an inbuilt consent form was prepared using the
Google form. The responses were presented using descriptive
statistics of frequency and percentage.
Results: Out of total, 112 (47.26%) participants were on a preexposure
prophylactic drug, while 125 (52.74%) had not taken
any prophylaxis. A total of 19 (16.96%) had used alternative
medicine (Ayurveda and Homeopathy). Participants who had
taken pre-exposure prophylaxis of modern medicine (n=93), 56
(60.21%) had received Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) alone or with
another drug, and in total 27 (81.8%) had tested negative for
COVID-19 infection while on HCQ. Ivermectin which seems to be
the other drug which was preferred was taken by 16 participants,
three were tested for COVID-19 and two were positive. Only
four participants had reported experiencing an adverse drug
reaction. Three of them experienced acidity, while on HCQ and
one experienced headache, while on ivermectin.
Conclusion: HCQ given in the dose as recommended by Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had significantly reduced
the number of infections among HCP. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |