A Cross Sectional Study on the Mental Health Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Nigerian Urban Dwellers

Abstract

Aim:  Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a new type of corona virus first discovered in China in 2019; hence the name COVID-19. Some of its symptoms include cough, fever, and breathing difficulty. In severe cases the disease can lead to death.  This study looked at the mental health impacts of COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Nigerian urban dwellers. Study Design: This is a descriptive cross sectional design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Enugu metropolis between the months of January and February 2021. Methodology: Using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), The Short Screening Scale for Post traumatic stress disorder, The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2) this study investigated the mental health impacts of COVID-19 pandemic among 520 Nigerian urban dwellers. Results: Results shows that 29.2%; 13.1% and 1.9% had mild, moderate and sever depressive symptoms respectively. Equally 21.9%, 13.3% and 5.4% had mild, moderate and severe anxiety symptoms respectively. Furthermore 37.3% showed signs of psychological distress just as 24.8% manifested symptoms of PTSD. Results further revealed significant associations between psychological distress and gender; PTSD and gender as well as anxiety and gender respectively.  Conclusion:  Following the high level of mental health impacts of Covid-19 pandemic noticed among the subjects who took part in the study, it was therefore recommended that psychological testing and psychotherapy be included in the routine testing and management of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.