Self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Peru: A cross-sectional survey

Self-medication impacts both negatively and positively the health of people, which has become evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medicated drugs used for respiratory symptoms, as COVID-19 preventive, for its symptoms or once tested positive. To determine the perception of symptom relief and demographic variables that promote self-medication in Peru. We performed a cross-sectional, analytical, multicenter study in 3792 study respondents on the use, the reason for use, and perception of relief after the use of six drugs during the quarantine period. An online questionnaire was developed, pretested and submitted to the general public. Multivariable logistic regression was used to ascertain factors that influence an individual's desire to self-medicate, associations were considered significant at p < 0.05 and using region (coast, mountain and jungle) as cluster group. The majority of respondents self-medicated with acetaminophen for respiratory symptoms and mainly because they had a cold or flu. It was observed that all the surveyed drugs (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, azithromycin, penicillin, antiretrovirals and hydroxychloroquine) were consumed for various symptoms including: fever, fatigue, cough, sneezing, muscle pain, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache and breathing difficulty. Over 90% of respondents perceived relief of at least one symptom. Multivariable logistic regression showed that older people have a higher frequency of antiretroviral self-medication, respondents who currently have a job had a higher frequency of penicillin self-medication, and that respondents from the Andes consumed less acetaminophen, while the ones from the rainforest consumed it more. There were significant percentages of self-medication, including drugs without sufficient scientific evidence. Age, region where one lived and job status were variables associated with self-medication frequency. Continuous awareness and sensitization about the risks of self-medication are warranted.Revisión por pare

Factores asociados al fatalismo ante la COVID-19 en 20 ciudades del Perú en marzo 2020

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated diverse reactions, but these have not yet been measured in the Latin American population.Objective: To determine the factors associated with the perception of fatalism in the face of COVID-19 infection in inhabitants of 20 cities in Peru.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study with a sample size of 2 466 people from 20 cities of Peru that measured fatalism during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted through a validated survey (Cronbach´s alpha: 0,78) consisting of 7 items. Statistical analysis was conducted in terms of each city, and p < 0,05 was considered significant.Results: Of the 2 466 respondents, 36 % were depressed, 26 % thought that they might die, 17 % say that this was evidence of the end of the world, and 9 % could make a fatal decision. Women were more likely to engage in three of the fatalistic behaviors (becoming infected, p = 0,020; infecting others, p = 0,004, and becoming depressed, p = 0,020). At an older age there were 5 perceptions (infecting others, p = 0,007; becoming complicated, p < 0,001; becoming depressed, p < 0,001, thinking they would die, p < 0,001; or committing suicide, p = 0,014). Those at risk of complications of COVID-19 had 4 perceptions (infecting others, p = 0,024; becoming complicated, p = 0,002; thinking they would die, p < 0,001; and thinking that this is a sign of the end of the world, p = 0,039). Respondents who were agnostic exhibited a lower frequency in 5 perceptions, while atheist respondents showed a lower frequency in 2 perceptions.Conclusion: Many fatalistic ideas are found among the population in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.Introducción: la pandemia del COVID-19 ha generado reacciones diversas, pero estas aún no han sido medidas en la población latinoamericana.Objetivo: determinar los factores asociados a la percepción de fatalismo ante la infección del COVID-19 en pobladores de 20 departamentos del Perú. Material y Métodos: estudio transversal analítico, de tipo multicéntrico que con una muestra de 2466 personas en 20 departamentos del Perú midió el fatalismo ante la pandemia del COVID – 19 a través de una encuesta validada (Alpha Crombach: 0,78) que consistía en 7 ítems. El análisis estadístico fue realizado en función de cada ciudad y se consideró significativos p < 0,05.Resultados: de los 2466 encuestados, el 36 % se deprimirían, el 26 % piensa que podrían fallecer, el 17 % dice que esto es evidencia del fin del mundo y el 9 % podrían tomar una decisión fatal. Las mujeres tuvieron mayor frecuencia de 3 de las conductas fatalistas (contagiarse p=0,020; contagiar a otros p=0,004 y deprimirse p=0,020). A mayor edad hubo 5 percepciones (contagiar a otros p=0,007; complicarse p<0,001; deprimirse p<0,001, pensar que morirían p<0,001 o suicidarse p=0,014). Los que tenían un riesgo para complicación por COVID-19 tuvieron 4 percepciones (contagiar a otros p=0,024; complicarse p=0,002; pensar que morirían p<0,001 y que esto es señal del fin del mundo p=0,039). El ser agnóstico tuvo menor frecuencia de 5 percepciones, el ser ateo en 2.Conclusión: Se halló muchas ideas fatalistas entre la población ante la pandemia de coronavirus

Factors associated with fatalism in the face of COVID-19 in 20 Peruvian cities in March 2020

Introducción: La pandemia del COVID-19 ha generado reacciones diversas, pero estas aún no han sido medidas en la población latinoamericana. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a la percepción de fatalismo ante la infección del COVID-19 en pobladores de 20 departamentos del Perú. Material y Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico, de tipo multicéntrico que con una muestra de 2466 personas en 20 departamentos del Perú midió el fatalismo ante la pandemia del COVID-19 a través de una encuesta validada (Alpha Crombach: 0,78) que consistía en 7 ítems. El análisis estadístico fue realizado en función de mundo y el 9 % podrían tomar una decisión fatal. Las mujeres tuvieron mayor frecuencia de 3 de las conductas fatalistas (contagiarse p=0,020; contagiar a otros p=0,004 y deprimirse p=0,020). A mayor edad hubo 5 percepciones (contagiar a otros p=0,007; complicarse p<0,001; deprimirse p<0,001, pensar que morirían p<0,001 o suicidarse p=0,014). Los que tenían un riesgo para complicación por COVID-19 tuvieron 4 percepciones (contagiar a otros p=0,024; complicarse p=0,002; pensar que morirían p<0,001 y que esto es señal del fin del mundo p=0,039). El ser agnóstico tuvo menor frecuencia de 5 percepciones, el ser ateo en 2. Conclusión: Se halló muchas ideas fatalistas entre la población ante la pandemia de coronavirus

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora