Hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis when treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 – Perception of frontline health care workers in South India

Objectives:
In March 2020, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for prophylaxis in asymptomatic health care workers who care for suspected or confirmed patients and household contacts of confirmed patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This recommendation was received by health-care practitioners with mixed opinions. The objectives of the study were to explore the views of frontline health-care practitioners (physicians, nurses, and physician assistants) in South India related to the ICMR recommendation of HCQ prophylaxis.

Material and Methods:
The survey research design was used to conduct this study. A ten-item electronic survey was developed based on the research question. The survey link was shared with frontline health-care practitioners in South India through email and WhatsApp messages identified through convenience sampling. Furthermore, the recipients were requested to forward the link to other frontline health-care professionals in their network (snowball sampling). Data were collected from April 16, 2020, to May 7, 2020.

Results:
The number of responses received was 132. Of 80 respondents who treated or anticipate treating patients with COVID-19, only 29 respondents reported that they complied with the ICMR’s HCQ chemoprophylaxis recommendation. Participants expressed concerns about the side effects and lack of conclusive evidence.

Conclusion:
Frontline health care workers in South India have mixed opinions with regard to the safety of HCQ prophylaxis. To promote the acceptance of and successful implementation of prophylaxis recommendations, it is essential that health authorities consider research evidence and seek stakeholder input before finalizing recommendations.