Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria

Oginni, Olakunle Ayokunmi, Oloniniyi, Ibidunni Olapeju, Ibigbami, Olanrewaju, Ugo, Victor, Amiola, Ayomipo, Ogunbajo, Adedotun, Esan, Oladoyin, Adelola, Aderopo, Daropale, Oluwatosin, Ebuka, Matthew and Mapayi, Boladale 2021. Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria. PLoS ONE 16 (8) , e0256690. 10.1371/journal.pone.0256690

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (600kB) | Preview

Abstract

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (11.8%) compared to men (6.1% and 0.8% respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 June 2024
Date of Acceptance:	13 August 2021
Last Modified:	03 Jul 2024 16:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/169566

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item