Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to self-medication practices among the adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and any changes from the period before the current health emergency. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2021 in the Campania region, Southern of Italy. Of the 590 questionnaires distributed, 525 returned for an overall response rate of 89%. Overall, 66.8% of respondents had a good knowledge of self-medication and adverse drug reaction (ADR). Moreover, 58% of respondents stated that they had used an oral medication without the physician's prescription in the last year. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that respondents with a lower perception of their health status (p = 0.05), who knew the definition of self-medication (p = 0.034), who practiced self-medication before COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001), and who reported at least one suspected symptom for COVID-19 disease in the last year (p = 0.002), were significantly more likely to practice self-medication. Our findings supported the needs to limit the risks of self-medication through the active involvement of physicians and pharmacists.