Commentary on the coronavirus pandemic: Nigeria.

Journal: Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy

Volume: 12

Issue: S1

Year of Publication: 2021

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria.

Abstract summary 

About a week after the confirmation of Nigeria's index case of COVID-19 on February 27, 2020, the Nigerian federal government set up a 12-member Presidential Task Force for the Control of the Coronavirus. The country's borders were closed on March 23, and the lockdown of cities was also implemented. The unanticipated disruption of scholarly or professional advancement for the 94% of university students who are not currently learning may increase the burden of mental illness among these students and predispose them to social vices. Two suicide deaths occurred during the lockdown. Poverty, lack of trust in the government, ignorance, denial and misplaced religious zealotry negatively impact on the behavior of Nigerians. Fear-induced behavioral changes such as consuming lemon, ginger, garlic, local herbs, and other substances for protection have also become rampant. Loss of income due to the lockdown and the accompanying destitution can also be a pathfinder for numerous other sicknesses and deaths. For the benefit of enhanced prevention and control of infection, only government-funded hospitals and a few designated privately owned hospitals have been permitted to provide continued services at this time. The number of shifts in these hospitals were adjusted such that there are fewer health care professionals in the hospital at a given time. This strategy has inhibited treatment and care for certain groups of people who are not COVID-19 patients. Efforts are being made to develop telehealth services, but most rural residents may not benefit from them. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Authors & Co-authors:  Chukwuorji JohnBosco Chika JC Iorfa Steven Kator SK

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  2
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1037/tra0000786
SSN : 1942-969X
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
COVID-19
Other Terms
Study Design
Case Control Trial,Case Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
United States