Previously submitted to: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (no longer under consideration since Oct 01, 2020)
Date Submitted: May 28, 2020
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Chemo-prophylaxis of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine: a study of health care workers attitude, adherence to regime and toxicities/side effects
ABSTRACT
Background:
There are apprehensions among healthcare worker (HCWs) about COVID-19. The HCWs have been given hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) chemo-prophylaxis for seven weeks as per Government of India guidelines.
Objective:
To assess the apprehensions among HCWs about COVID-19 and to document accessibility, adherence and side effects related to HCQ prophylaxis in HCWs.
Methods:
A longitudinal follow up study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. HCQ was given in the dose of 400 mg twice on day one, and then 400 mg weekly for seven weeks. 391 HCWs were interviewed using semi structured questionnaire.
Results:
62.2% HCWs expressed perceived danger posted by COVID-19 infection. Doctors (54%) showed least acceptance and paramedics (88%) showed highest acceptance to chemo-prophylaxis. 17.5% participants developed at least one of the side effects to HCQ. Females and nursing profession were significantly associated with adverse effects. Common side effects were gastro-intestinal symptoms, headache and abnormal mood change. Most of these were mild, not requiring any intervention. Gender, professions and perceived threat of COVID-19 were significantly associated with acceptance and adherence to HCQ prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
Two third of HCWs had perceived danger due to COVID-19. Three fourth of the HCWs accepted chemo-prophylaxis and four out of five who accepted had complete adherence to prophylaxis schedule. One out of five had developed at least one of side effects; however, most of these were mild not requiring any intervention.
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