ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an unprecedented pandemic that has taken the modern world under seize. In spite of lack of solid evidence, certain federal governments had recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), chloroquine, and azithromycin as prophylactic medications either for contacts or for healthcare providers in particular. The objective of this study is to assess the issues related to intake of prophylactic medications in view of COVID-19 and the proportion and pattern of side effects. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using mixed methods approach among healthcare workers in Puducherry, India. RESULTS: HCQ was the prophylactic drug taken by all the participants (n = 26). Of the 26, 15.4% had a baseline ECG, 26.9% took HCQ based on the recommended Day 1 dose of 800 mg and 61.5% of the participants had the drug provided by the hospital where they work. Reasons for taking prophylaxis were sense of vulnerability (due to co-morbidities, lack of PPE kits) and peer practice. However, the participants did not recommend prophylactic medication to others due to lack of evidence, death claims related to prophylactic drugs in media, hospitals not taking responsibility of baseline monitoring and need for long follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The data on assessment of HCQ prophylaxis indicates only minor side-effects, though limited by sample size. Evidence-based recommendations on prophylactic drugs for COVID-19, effective risk communication, peer education and support, accountability, ease of baseline, and follow-up investigations were the need of the hour to improve intake and adherence to prophylactic regime for COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has ensured that countries enforced complete lock down to prevent the spread of infection. Despite millions of people working from home during this pandemic situation, police personnel 'the front line workers' who deal with the general population to ensure their safety and wellbeing are at risk of stress and other mental health problems in addition to the risk of infection itself. AIM: The aim of this study is to explore the perception of police personnel towards the disease, factors influencing stress and coping abilities of them amid COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews among randomly selected police personnel working in COVID-19 situation across the district of Karaikal, Puducherry. RESULTS: Of the 32 police personnel, majority were of age group 36-45 (43.75%), followed by 25-35 (37.5%). More than half of them were married (78.12%). Around 62.5% had been in the present occupation for more than 5 years. The in depth interviews were group under 5 themes namely perception, practice they follow amid COVID-19, stress they go through, challenges faced, coping strategies used by them. CONCLUSION: It is the need of the hour to care for the well-being of frontline workers, especially police personals.
