Effect of Lockdown in the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dietary Habits and Self-Medication Practice in People Living in Jordan

Background: The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted Jordanian society, particularly on health. Aims: This study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on Jordanian society’s dietary habits and self-medication practices. Methods: We surveyed 1252 Jordanians of both genders between the ages of 18 and 65 years by questionnaire. Three questions were asked to evaluate the frequency of foods/drinks consumption, general eating habits, and self-medication practice of individuals of both genders during the lockdown. Results: Dietary habits and food quality affected weight (increase or decrease) by 69.5% during the lockdown. The highest percentages of “very high” consumption per week for fruits, processed juices, and fried foods were 37.6 %, 36.7%, and 29.4%, respectively. The highest percentage of “very little” consumption per week for drinking water, milk, and soft drinks were 12.5%, 8.5%, and 7.4%, respectively. The percentage of respondents who had taken medicine without a doctor’s prescription was 84.7%. The highest percentage (74%) was in using self-medication as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, followed by treating a cold/flu (61.4%), in both genders and age groups. The largest percentage (78.5%) was for using paracetamol, followed by ibuprofen and azithromycin (78.1% and 77.1%), respectively. Conclusion: Dietary habits and the quality of the foods consumed during lockdown affected participants’ weight (increase or decrease) by 69.5%. The percentage of participants who self-medicated was 84.7%.