Objective: The primary outcome of this study was to assess how many HCWs were taking HCQ as a prophylaxis
and to understand about its use including safety. Materials and Methods: This was a focused questionnaire based
online survey of Health Care Workers (HCWs) exposed to COVID 19patients, at various tertiary care centres in
India. Results: Among the 408 participants, 395 (96.5%) were HCWs and 13 (3.2%) were non-HCWs. Among
the 395 HCWs (96.5%), 32 HCWs (8.1%) were involved as COVID-19 frontline staff only; 274 HCWs (69.3%)
were involved as practicing doctors running OPDs/medical practice and 89 HCWs (22.5%) were actively
involved as both COVID-19 frontline staff and practicing doctor running OPDs/medical practice. Among the 253
HCWs (64%) who have taken HCQ [227 HCWs (89.7%) as per ICMR recommended dose and 26 HCWs
(10.3%) varying dosages of HCQ]; 1 HCW (0.4%) was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the prophylactic use of
HCQ and 1 HCW (0.4%) had experienced increased risk factor – Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) in ECG.
Adverse events such as pigment epithelium detachment of right eye, hypoglycemia; diarrhea, gastritis and skin
pruritis; nausea and migraine and headache were experienced by 6 HCWs (2.4%).Conclusions: This study
demonstrated that majority of HCWs embrace the use of HCQ despite the fact that it is an off-label drug for
COVID-19 and no significant evidence is available on its safety and efficacy. Furthermore, the use of HCQ
among HCWs did not cause any serious adverse effects or increase in co-morbidities or risk factors.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hydroxychloroquine; Health Care Workers; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.