Profile and Predictors of Psychological Manifestations of COVID-19 among Adults in Selected Communities of Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The Corona Virus Disease-2019 caused by the virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus - 2 resulted in a  global public health problem. Various strategies and interventions were implemented to contain the spread around the world. Despite  this, the pandemic persisted with fear and anxiety leading to worsening psychological state. Therefore, the aim of this study was to  assess the profile and predictors of psychological manifestations of COVID-19 among adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select adults aged 18 years  and above. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social  Sciences version 23 was used for data analysis and spatial mapping. Level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: More than  a tenth (15.3%) of the respondents had experienced severe psychological manifestations due to COVID-19. Younger age (p<0.001), higher  level of education (p<0.001), higher monthly income (p=0.013), smaller household size (p=0.001), working in the hospital environment  (p=0.001), and rural residence (p=0.005) were significantly associated with psychological manifestations due to COVID-19. Younger age  (p=0.030), tertiary education (p=0.020), rural location (p<0.001) and working in the hospital environment (p=0.021) were significant predictors of severe psychological manifestations due to COVID-19.

Conclusion: Psychological manifestations due to COVID-19 was high  among the study population and this cuts across socio-demographic and socio-economic groups. Awareness campaigns by the Ekiti State  government and other relevant stakeholders could help to reduce this in the population