(078) A cross-sectional online survey on ivermectin use for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a peruvian population

Publication Number: 740

Background: COVID-19 mortality rates in Peru were among the highest in the world. In Chincha province, one of the most affected areas in the country, ivermectin has been used as a treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The local media and regional leaders had supported the use of ivermectin in Chincha as a therapeutic or prophylactic solution for COVID-19. As a result, the drug was distributed free of charges in parks and squares around the city.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to identify the epidemiology of the use of ivermectin in Chincha for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the second wave of COVID-19 in the province of Chincha, located in the Ica department, in southern Peru. A total of 640 participants were enrolled between March 23 and June 21, 2021. Data were collected using an ad-hoc questionnaire. The reliability of this questionnaire was confirmed (A = 0.7). Data processing and statistical analysis were performed using SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp) program.

Results: A total of 432 participants were included in the study. 65% (n = 281) of the participants were women and 53.5% (n = 231) were between the ages of 18 and 29. Furthermore, the majority of participants (64.9%) had at least one type of comorbidity: obesity (15.3%, n = 66), asthma (5.6%, n = 24), high blood pressure (5.1%, n = 22) or diabetes mellitus (4.2%, n = 18). Ivermectin was consumed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 67.6% (n = 292). Likewise, it was used for prophylactic purposes only by 20.20% (n=59), for COVID-19 treatment by 41.79% (n = 122) and for both purposes by 38.01% (n=111). In total, 43.5% (72) of these participants obtained the drug via prescription, while 56.5% (165) obtained it via self-medication. Finally, several variables were found to be associated with ivermectin consumption, including age (p < 0.0001), marital status (p = 0.0001), education (p = 0.042), COVID-19 diagnosis (p < 0.0001), exposure to people with COVID-19 (p < 0.0001), presenting obesity (p = 0.035) or diabetes (p = 0.049).

Conclusions: There was a moderate use of ivermectin (67.6%) to treat or prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Result of this study may suggest that age, marital status, education, COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure to people with COVID-19, presenting a comorbidity were related to ivermectin use.