Psychological, Socioeconomic Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Associated Prevalent Self-Reported Vulnerability Factors among Residents of Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infectious diseases wrecked havoc in global economies, especially when outbreak or pandemic occurs. The present  COVID‑19 pandemic has not only caused disruption to global activities but also of businesses, trades, movements, and academic activities. Southwest Nigeria has the highest burden of COVID‑19 of all the six geopolitical zones in the country. This study, therefore, aims at determining the psychological, socioeconomic effect of COVID‑19 pandemic and associated vulnerability factors among residents of Southwest Nigeria.
Methods: This survey is a cross‑sectional study in the six southwest states of Nigeria via Google questionnaire sent electronically to obtain
information from respondents. Targeted sampling and snowball techniques were used to reach the respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23, and the level of statistical significance was at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents is 32.89 ± 9.59 years and age range of 16–57 years. Majority of the respondents were males, married with tertiary education. Majority (83.9%) of the respondents have severe psychological effects, 78.2% have their family income affected, while diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancers,  previous contact with a confirmed case and travel history outside Nigeria were among the self‑reported vulnerable factors of COVID‑19.  Conclusion: The study concluded that the psychological and economic effects of COVID‑19 are high in Southwest Nigeria and major self‑reported vulnerable factors include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, and cancers. Scale‑up of public awareness,  subsidization of personal protective equipment, and financial stimulus are recommended measures against the disease.

Keywords: COVID‑19, effect, Nigeria, vulnerability