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Global Health Econ Sustain COVID-19: Mental health in South-South Nigeria

1. Introduction determinants of selected mental health problems in the
southern part of Nigeria.
There is a valid apprehension that an outbreak of a highly
infectious coronavirus such as COVID-19 could result in a 2. Methods
psychological dilemma, especially in a country like Nigeria,
with a high number of reported cases (Dong & Bouey, 2.1. Research design
2020). The high level of unpredictability, uncertainty, The research employed a cross-sectional descriptive
misinformation, and severity of the COVID-19 disease approach, involving the administration of questionnaires
contributed to psychological trauma during the pandemic to respondents aged between 18 and 60 years who resided
(Zandifar & Badrfam, 2020). According to a report in selected study sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
by psychiatrists cited in the Guardian, approximately The South-South part of Nigeria comprises six states: Akwa
25% of Nigerians suffer from at least one type of Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo. Three
diagnosable mental health problem ranging from minor states were selected using a purposive sampling technique
conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to represent the South-South part. The selection was based
to major conditions such as depression or schizophrenia on the following criteria: transportation accessibility,
(Chukwuma & Ijeoma, 2022). However, a majority of those landmass, security, and safety concerns. Consequently,
affected by mental health problems either do not recognize Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states were selected as
or acknowledge them due to religious and cultural beliefs. the focal points of the study.
The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions provided several
factors that influence the presentation of mental health 2.2. Sample size
issues. These factors are poverty, unemployment due to Adults aged between 18 and 60 years residing in Akwa Ibom,
lockdown restrictions, lack of access to basic amenities Cross River, and Rivers during the outbreak of COVID-19
due to restricted movement, and the influence of cultural comprised the study population. The research sample size
and religious views on COVID-19, often shaped by was estimated using the following methodology outlined
misinformation and illiteracy, among others. by Lwanga & Lemeshow (1991), resulting in an estimated
The South-South part of Nigeria is plagued with high sample of 1281 respondents (n = 1281), representing
rates of unemployment, a situation made worse by the 50% of the study population with 5% precision at a 95%
total lockdown restrictions enforced by the Nigerian confidence interval.
government. The lack of targeted interventions addressing
the mental health of the residents, coupled with the 2.3. Selection criteria
economic instability, social isolation, and health anxiety The selection criteria for participants in this study comprised
experienced by the residents during the lockdown, was both inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria
what motivated the researchers to conduct this study. The include respondents who resided at the selected study
study aimed to identify the sociodemographic factors sites for the past 12 months (January – December 2020),
influencing mental health problems among adults in were aged between 18 and 60 years, and provided consent
South-South Nigeria during the COVID-19 lockdown for participation. These criteria were essential for the
restrictions. Sociodemographic factors in the study were researchers to measure the impact of COVID-19 on living
gender, age, marital status, level of education, residence and work routines. On the other hand, the exclusion
status, occupation, family size, and monthly income. criteria encompassed respondents below 18 years of age or
The research hypothesis (H1) posited that there is a above 60 years of age, individuals who did not reside at the
significant relationship between sociodemographic factors study site for 12 months (January – December 2020), and
and selected mental health problems among adults in those who declined to provide consent for participation.
South-South Nigeria during the lockdown. Conversely, the 2.4. Study variables
null hypothesis (H0) suggested no significant relationship
between sociodemographic factors and selected mental The dependent variables of the study were the mental
health problems among adults in the same period. The health problems of interest, namely GAD, anger disorder,
selected mental health problems in this study were adopted and depression disorder. Independent variables included
from a similar investigation conducted in Uganda during sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, marital
the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions (Archibong et al., status, education level, residence status, occupation, family
2021). Given the limited research on the psychological size, and monthly income. These variables were factored
impact of COVID-19 on residents in Nigeria, this study into this present study to test for relationships with the
is imperative as it seeks to address the sociodemographic outcomes. The Chi-square test was employed to determine

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2551