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

(χ = 8.95; df = 4; p < 0.442). Despite this, we were unable to hidden mental health conditions. It is imperative that the
2
disprove the null hypothesis, which suggests no statistically mental health of Nigerians should be addressed alongside
significant correlation between depression and wealth. other approaches to managing and controlling the disease
On the other hand, we rejected the null hypothesis since and the pandemic to facilitate their full recovery from
there was a statistically significant link between occupation the aftermath of COVID-19. Specialized psychological
and anger expression in the study population (χ = 17.37; assistance, along with appropriate and persistent risk
2
df = 3; p = 0.002). Similarly, we rejected the null hypothesis and crisis communication, is unquestionably necessary.
because there was a statistically significant connection A current, timely, and straightforward set of rules should
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(χ = 21.341; df = 1; p = 0.001) between family size and be presented to prevent confusion and anxiety among the
anger expression in the research area. public during the spread of highly contagious diseases like
COVID-19.
Notably, no or low income has been associated with
several lifetime mental disorders and suicide attempts Acknowledgments
(Sareen et al., 2011). The outbreak of COVID-19 has been
linked to job losses, income declines, and disruptions in Not applicable.
normal activities globally. These are potential triggers for Funding
mental health problems (Posel et al., 2021; Lee et al., 2020).
Therefore, we rejected the null hypothesis since there was None.
a statistically significant connection (χ = 94.36; df = 4;
2
p = 0.001) between respondents’ monthly income and their Conflict of interest
expression of anger. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

5. Conclusion Author contributions
In general, the study conducted during the COVID-19 Conceptualization: All authors
epidemic in the South-South region of Nigeria found that Formal analysis: Owoisinke Effiong Okon, Margaret Akpan
mild depression (37%) was the most common mental Investigation: All authors
health issue, followed by mild anxiety (29%), and slight Methodology: All authors
rage (27%). The discrepancy in figures can be attributed to Writing – original draft: Owoisinke Effiong Okon, Victor
variations in sample size and targeted population. In 2020, Bassey Archibong
Wang et al. conducted a study on the mental health state Writing – review & editing: Victor Bassey Archibong
of 1210 members of the general population in China in
relation to COVID-19. Their study revealed that 16.5% of Ethics approval and consent to participate
the population experienced moderate-to-severe depression Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the
symptoms, 28.8% reported moderate-to-severe anxiety Ethics Committee of the College of Medical Sciences of the
symptoms, and 8.1% suffered from moderate-to-severe University of Calabar (UC/CMS/PUH/034), the Ministry
stress. Discrepancies between these figures from Wang of Health of Akwa Ibom State (AKHREC/25/10/21/050),
et al. (2020) in China and our study in Nigeria could be the Ministry of Health of Cross River State (RP/
attributed to various factors, including differences in REC/2021/210), and the Ministry of Health of Rivers State
sample size, evaluation tools, and the predominantly low- (MH/PRS/391/vol. 2/798).
income status of our respondents, many of whom rely
on daily wages to make ends meet. Additional research Consent for publication
has indicated a rise in COVID-19-related trauma among Written consent was shared with the respondents, and the
the general population. In 2020, Li et al. and Xiao et al. researchers ensured the respondents read and understood
(2020b) studied a sample of 170 individuals undergoing before they were recruited into the study.
COVID-19 self-isolation for 14 days in China. They found
that anxiety was favorably connected with stress and Availability of data
negatively correlated with social capital and sleep quality, Data are available upon request.
while sleep quality was positively connected with social
capital. This finding suggests that the COVID-19 lockdown References
undoubtedly has an impact on people’s mental health.
Akinkuotu, E., Adelani, A., Ade, A., Oladimeji, R., Deji, L.,
The current mental health system in Nigeria could Wale, O., et al. (2020). Black Tuesday: 49 Killed as Protest
potentially collapse due to an impending epidemic of Turns Bloody. PUNCH. Available from: https://punchng.

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 10 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2551