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A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Received: 30 April 2021     Accepted: 18 May 2021     Published: 31 May 2021
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created mental health challenges among the public. The study objectives were to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression and associated factors among the general public in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2020 and June 2020 using an online questionnaire that captured sociodemographic data, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), lifestyle practices, self-rated health, and exposure to COVID-19 information through social media. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science with associations tested at 95% confidence interval. Appropriate institutional ethical board approval was obtained, and informed consent obtained from all participants. 543 adults participated, 101 (18.6%) and 131 (24.1%) respondents were classified as having depressive and anxiety disorders respectively. Females (χ2=11.06, p < 0.01), alcohol use (OR 5.50, p < 0.01, 95% CI 2.18-13.87) and poor self-rated health (OR 2.97, p=0.04, 95% CI 1.08-8.22) were significantly associated with GAD. Alcohol consumption (OR 4.27, p < 0.01, 95% CI 1.56-12.04), currently being on medication (OR 2.96, p < 0.01, 95% CI 1.31-6.70) and poor self-rated health (OR 4.21 p < 0.01, 95% CI 1.73-10.23) were significantly associated with depression. Increasing frequency of information on Covid-19 through social media was significantly associated with decreased anxiety and depression (χ2=7.95, p=0.02). A considerable proportion of respondents experienced anxiety and depression, especially persons with unhealthy lifestyles and poor health. Interventions to improve mental health should target these at-risk groups.

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 7, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16
Page(s) 127-135
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Anxiety, COVID-19, Depression, Mental Health

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  • APA Style

    Ekaete Tobin, Esther Okogbenin, Andrew Obi. (2021). A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Central African Journal of Public Health, 7(3), 127-135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16

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    ACS Style

    Ekaete Tobin; Esther Okogbenin; Andrew Obi. A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2021, 7(3), 127-135. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16

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    AMA Style

    Ekaete Tobin, Esther Okogbenin, Andrew Obi. A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2021;7(3):127-135. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16,
      author = {Ekaete Tobin and Esther Okogbenin and Andrew Obi},
      title = {A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety and Depression Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria},
      journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {7},
      number = {3},
      pages = {127-135},
      doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210703.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20210703.16},
      abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has created mental health challenges among the public. The study objectives were to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression and associated factors among the general public in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2020 and June 2020 using an online questionnaire that captured sociodemographic data, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), lifestyle practices, self-rated health, and exposure to COVID-19 information through social media. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science with associations tested at 95% confidence interval. Appropriate institutional ethical board approval was obtained, and informed consent obtained from all participants. 543 adults participated, 101 (18.6%) and 131 (24.1%) respondents were classified as having depressive and anxiety disorders respectively. Females (χ2=11.06, p 2=7.95, p=0.02). A considerable proportion of respondents experienced anxiety and depression, especially persons with unhealthy lifestyles and poor health. Interventions to improve mental health should target these at-risk groups.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    AB  - The COVID-19 pandemic has created mental health challenges among the public. The study objectives were to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression and associated factors among the general public in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2020 and June 2020 using an online questionnaire that captured sociodemographic data, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), lifestyle practices, self-rated health, and exposure to COVID-19 information through social media. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science with associations tested at 95% confidence interval. Appropriate institutional ethical board approval was obtained, and informed consent obtained from all participants. 543 adults participated, 101 (18.6%) and 131 (24.1%) respondents were classified as having depressive and anxiety disorders respectively. Females (χ2=11.06, p 2=7.95, p=0.02). A considerable proportion of respondents experienced anxiety and depression, especially persons with unhealthy lifestyles and poor health. Interventions to improve mental health should target these at-risk groups.
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Author Information
  • Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria

  • Department of Psychiatry, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria

  • Department of Community Medicine, University of Benin, Benin-City, Nigeria

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