Consumption of ivermectin for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in Peru

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, 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.