History

Background

Although a global challenge, self-medication is a growing problem in our country. Raising public awareness of the problem is urgently needed. Prophylactic measures of the COVID-19 pandemic have further increased the prevalence.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted at my private ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) clinic in Almahawil District, Babylon, Iraq. I am making a comparison of the prevalence of self-medication in my patients between a period of 6 months before (from January 1st to June 30th, 2019) and a 6-month period following (from January 1st to June 30th, 2022) the COVID-19 pandemic to assess the prevalence of the practice of self-medication and the likely impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on its progressive rising. This study included 5400 patients with ENT disorders, 2520 patients in the first phase, and 2880 patients in the second phase. 

Results

Age ranged from 3 months to 84 years. The male: female ratio is 1.2:1 in the first period and 1.3:1 in the second period. The spectrum of diseases is so broad that it covers almost the entire field of ENT medicine. The drugs that are used as self-medication are also diverse. In the first period, 1360 (54%) of the patients self-medicated prior to their clinic visit, while in the second period, 2160 (75%) of them self-medicated prior to their Clinic visits.

Conclusion:

Self-medication is far from safe practice, is a growing challenge to our healthcare system, and poses a major public health concern; COVID-19 Pandemic probably initiated changes in behavior leading to excessive self-medication.