Title: COVID-19 lockdown and psychological distress: how Nigerians fared

Authors: Oluwatosin E. Ilevbare; Caleb M. Adelowo; Waliu M. Adegbite

Addresses: National Centre for Technology Management, PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria ' National Centre for Technology Management, PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria; North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa ' National Centre for Technology Management, PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract: COVID-19 has recently caused unprecedented changes to our society causing untold economic and psychological hardship. This study examined COVID-19 knowledge and gender differences on psychological distress (PD); and how social isolation and age influenced PD among 289 respondents in Nigeria. Majority of respondents have the knowledge of the disease (94.5%), modes of transmission (98.9%) symptoms (94.5%), suggesting prevalence of adequate knowledge of COVID-19. Government responses to the pandemic and palliatives were perceived to be largely insufficient. On the effect of knowledge on PD, the results revealed negative relationship while gender was significant on PD. Social isolation and age, both significantly shows positive relationship with the level of PD, indicating that PD increases as social isolation intensifies, and could worsen among the elderly. The study concludes that government needs to intensify awareness creation as well as incorporate psychological assistance to ease the fear and anxiety, thereby improving better health outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; psychological distress; lockdown; social isolation; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2020.112201

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2020 Vol.7 No.2, pp.144 - 161

Received: 01 Sep 2020
Accepted: 28 Oct 2020
Published online: 04 Jan 2021 *

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