Abstract:

Purpose: Favipiravir was distributed free of charge by the Ministry of Health for treatment purposes during the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. This study was conducted to investigate the use of this drug by the patients and the factors affecting it. Method: Between January and March 2022 in Kütahya, two hundred and fifty-two patients randomly selected from the patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were reached by telephone. A questionnaire about demographic characteristics and favipiravir use was applied to the volunteers. Results: In our study, it was found that the participants were between the ages of 1-29, 73.6% of them were female and 44.6% of them were university graduates. The number of patients who did not use this drug was 72.3% (n=107). It was observed that the patients 63.6% (n=75) did not use favipiravir because they thought it would harm themselves the most. Favipiravir use was found to be at a higher rate in patients aged 46 years and older (p<0.001), primary school graduate patients with less education years (p=0.027), non-working patients (p=0.006) and patients with a recovery period of 8-14 days (p=0.003). Conclusion: During the Covid-19 Pandemic, favipiravir usage rates remained very low. One of the most important reasons for this is the distrust of this drug. Although the authorities have made statements about this issue, social media and other communication tools have negatively affected people. More effective information programs and prevention of information disinformation on social media are important in order to control and successfully manage such major pandemics.

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