Original Research

The prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression amongst essential workers during the COVID-19 lockdown in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Joshua Falade, Adedayo H. Oyebanji, Abayomi M. Oshatimi, Adefunke O. Babatola, Adefolurin Orekoya, Benjamin A. Eegunranti, Olusola O. Falade
South African Journal of Psychiatry | Vol 28 | a1610 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1610 | © 2022 Joshua Falade, Adedayo H. Oyebanji, Abayomi M. Oshatimi, Adefunke O. Babatola, Adefolurin Orekoya, Benjamin A. Eegunranti, Olusola O. Falade | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 16 August 2020 | Published: 24 February 2022

About the author(s)

Joshua Falade, Department of Mental Health, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Adedayo H. Oyebanji, Department of Paediatrics, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Abayomi M. Oshatimi, University Health Center, Federal University Oye, Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Adefunke O. Babatola, Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Adefolurin Orekoya, Department of Mental Health, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Benjamin A. Eegunranti, Department of Psychiatry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Olusola O. Falade, Osun State School of Nursing, Asubiaro, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Essential workers are imperative in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression among essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

Setting: This study was set in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving essential workers in Ekiti State Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. A total of 588 essential workers were sampled. Online socio-demographic variables and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a 14 item self-reported questionnaire were used.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the respondents was 93.4% (CI = 91.2–95.2) and 64.3% (CI = 60.4–68.4) respectively. Among the health workers, the prevalence of anxiety and depression were 96.5% (CI =94.8–98.1) and 66.5% (CI = 60.5–69.8) respectively while the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among non- health workers were 84.6% (CI = 78.7–90.1) and 61.5% (CI = 54.2–69.4) respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of depressive symptoms was increased among, respondents who were not satisfied with the support they received from the government during the pandemic (AOR = 2.071, CI = 1.350–2.213), respondents that were 35 years and younger (AOR = 1.512, CI = 1.033–2.213) and reduced amongst Christians (AOR = 0.501, CI = 0.286–0.879). The odd of anxiety was increased among health workers compared to non-health workers (AOR = 3.700, CI = 1.744–7.851) and the odds of anxiety was reduced among respondents with previous history of mental illness (AOR = 0.215, CI = 0.049–0.943).

Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were common mental illness among essential workers working during the COVID-19 lockdown, therefore their mental health should be adequately considered to sustain the fight against the virus.


Keywords

essential workers; health workers; non-health workers; anxiety; depression; COVID-19; pandemic; Nigeria

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