ABSTRACT
Introduction: The use of ivermectin in the treatment or prevention against COVID-19 poses a public health problem. Objective: Describe the inappropriate use of ivermectin for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. A snowball-type sampler was used. All those who agreed to participate in the study (163) and who agreed to participate voluntarily were interviewed. The participants belonged to the departments of Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Pasco, Piura, Puno, Tacna and Ucayali (Peru). The study was conducted during the month of May, 2021. Results: 163 participants were surveyed, of which 71 (44%) were men and 92 (56%) women, with a mean age of 56.41 (SD 10.24) and with a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 82 years. The most relevant was the frequent use of ivermectin for the spread of COVID-19, although it was consumed more time by people who used it as prevention method. Conclusions: People consumed ivermectin once or twice a day, without a prescription, as prevention or because they had COVID-19. Those who took it as a preventive method took high doses for a long time putting their health at risk. This situation could be reversed through the proper implementation of science-based directives and a better media information policy.
ABSTRACT
Objetive. To describe the perceptions and knowledge about COVID-19. Material and Method: Cross-sectional study, an online survey of 314 participants was conducted, the questionnaire consists of 9 multiplechoice questions, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The average age of the respondents was 26.9 years, the sample comprised more women 161 (51.3%) than men and almost 89% of the respondents belonged to undergraduate, the place of origin of the Covid-19 was well known 94.30%, for half of the respondents 159 (50.6%) it is not a zoonotic disease, concerning the COVID-19 prevention measures the majority of the respondents consider that handwashing is an of the main prevention measures. Conclusion: CAP studies are important for a better understanding of the perception and knowledge of COVID-19. The study revealed that respondents generally have some general knowledge about SARS-CoV-2.