Pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures in residents of Virú during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has caused concern in the Peruvian population due to the health impact it generates and given the slow progress of vaccination, people opt for pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures to prevent the disease.

Objective: Analyze the association of pharmacological and non-pharmacological preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic with the characteristics of the inhabitants of Virú, Peru.

Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was applied. A questionnaire of questions was used based on the characteristics of the inhabitants (age, sex and type of work) and food consumption, use of solutions and medicines for the prevention of COVID-19. The presence of COVID-19 was evaluated with the rapid test called Standard^TM COVID 19 IgM/IgG; the sample was of 191 residents who went to Guadalupito Health Center in Virú.

Results: The non-pharmacological measures most frequently applied by villagers during the COVID-19 pandemic were the consumption of citrus fruits (79%), garlic, onions (42%) and kion (26%). The pharmacological ones were ivermectin (14%) and paracetamol (12%). None of the measures were associated with the presence of COVID-19.

Conclusions: Health professionals should emphasize through the different media that the measures analyzed in this study cannot prevent COVID-19. This constitutes valuable information for those people who do not take into account the usefulness of vaccines and challenge the disease by limiting their lives, with the exclusive use of certain foods, herbs and medicines.