@article{article_945803, title={PERSONAL SENSITIVITY, SELF-MEDICATION, MASK USAGE, AND COVID-19 SYMPTOMS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICANS}, journal={Journal of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine}, volume={85}, pages={147–154}, year={2022}, DOI={10.26650/IUITFD.945803}, author={Akintunde, Tosin Yinka and Chen, Shaojun and Oyeniran, Oluwatosin and Etuh, Monday and Enow, Tassang and Chıa, Terkuma and Oluseyı, Amoo}, keywords={Kendi kendine tedavi, maske kullanımı, bağışıklık, COVID-19, Sahra Altı Afrikalılar}, abstract={Objective: The study objective was to explore the episode of COVID-19 symptoms among sub-Saharan African (SSA) by examining the predicting effect of mask usage, self-medication, and personal sensitivity on the symptoms. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study in the SSA population, 536 individuals were asked about the episode of COVID-19 symptoms, personal sensitivity, mask usage, and self-medication. “Hierarchical multiple linear regression statistical method” was used to evaluate the data. Results: The personal sensitivity (r=0.245<0.01), taking off face mask in enclosed public places (r=0.255<0.01) and self-medication (r=0.392<0.01) were positively associated with COVID-19 symptoms. Overall, the total predictive effect of self-medication, taking off the mask in public spaces, and personal sensitivity accounted for 21% of the variance in the episode of COVID-19 symptoms of the study population. Conclusion: Personal sensitivity, mask usage, and self-medication support understanding of the episode of COVID-19 symptoms experienced among the study population. It is important to encourage the use of masks in high-risk areas. To improve post-COVID-19 health policies, self-medication used to decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection and other related public health concerns should be reduced.}, number={2}, publisher={İstanbul Üniversitesi}