Knowledge and compliance of hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among Indian health-care workers

In the initial days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as chemoprophylaxis for health-care workers (HCWs) involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. The present survey aimed to assess the knowledge and compliance of HCQ prophylaxis as per the ICMR recommendations among Indian HCWs during the first wave of the pandemic.

A validated 19-item questionnaire-based survey was distributed to HCWs in our apex tertiary care institute who had completed their duties in the COVID-19 wards to assess the knowledge, attitude, and compliance of all sections of HCWs regarding the ICMR-recommended HCQ prophylaxis. Participation in the survey was voluntary, and anonymity was maintained. Data obtained from the responses were collated and analyzed.

Two hundred and fourteen out of 250 HCWs completed the survey (85.6% response rate). Among 214 participants, 87.9% were below the age of 40 years. 83.2% were aware of the use of HCQ for possible prevention of COVID-19 infection, while only 24.6% took HCQ for 7 weeks as was recommended during that period. The main reasons given by 37.3% of the HCWs for not taking HCQ were their knowledge and research on HCQ, where side effects were prominent. Side effects were reported by 35% of the respondents, of which the most notable was nausea/vomiting (14%) followed by gastritis (12%).

The poor compliance with HCQ prophylaxis by HCWs was influenced by their knowledge and research, lack of strong scientific evidence, and drug‑associated adverse effects.