Frontiers in Public Health (Mar 2022)

Factors Associated With Experiences of Fear, Anxiety, Depression, and Changes in Sleep Pattern During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Adults in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan,
  • Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan,
  • Olanrewaju Ibigbami,
  • Brandon Brown,
  • Brandon Brown,
  • Maha El Tantawi,
  • Maha El Tantawi,
  • Nourhan M. Aly,
  • Nourhan M. Aly,
  • Oliver C. Ezechi,
  • Oliver C. Ezechi,
  • Giuliana Florencia Abeldaño,
  • Giuliana Florencia Abeldaño,
  • Eshrat Ara,
  • Eshrat Ara,
  • Martin Amogre Ayanore,
  • Martin Amogre Ayanore,
  • Passent Ellakany,
  • Passent Ellakany,
  • Balgis Gaffar,
  • Balgis Gaffar,
  • Nuraldeen Maher Al-Khanati,
  • Nuraldeen Maher Al-Khanati,
  • Ifeoma Idigbe,
  • Ifeoma Idigbe,
  • Mohammed Jafer,
  • Mohammed Jafer,
  • Abeedha Tu-Allah Khan,
  • Abeedha Tu-Allah Khan,
  • Zumama Khalid,
  • Zumama Khalid,
  • Folake Barakat Lawal,
  • Folake Barakat Lawal,
  • Joanne Lusher,
  • Joanne Lusher,
  • Ntombifuthi P. Nzimande,
  • Ntombifuthi P. Nzimande,
  • Bamidele Olubukola Popoola,
  • Bamidele Olubukola Popoola,
  • Mir Faeq Ali Quadri,
  • Mir Faeq Ali Quadri,
  • Mark Roque,
  • Mark Roque,
  • Ala'a B. Al-Tammemi,
  • Ala'a B. Al-Tammemi,
  • Muhammad Abrar Yousaf,
  • Muhammad Abrar Yousaf,
  • Jorma I. Virtanen,
  • Jorma I. Virtanen,
  • Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga,
  • Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga,
  • Nicaise Ndembi,
  • Nicaise Ndembi,
  • John N. Nkengasong,
  • John N. Nkengasong,
  • Annie Lu Nguyen,
  • Annie Lu Nguyen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.779498
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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BackgroundMultiple facets of the pandemic can be a source of fear, depression, anxiety and can cause changes in sleep patterns. The aim of this study was to identify health profiles and the COVID-19 pandemic related factors associated with fear, depression, anxiety and changes in sleep pattern in adults in Nigeria.MethodsThe data for this analysis was extracted from a cross-sectional online survey that collected information about mental health and well-ness from a convenience sample of adults 18 years and above resident in Nigeria from July to December 2020. Study participants were asked to complete an anonymous, closed-ended online questionnaire that solicited information on sociodemographic profile, health profiles (high, moderate and low COVID-19 infection risk profile) including HIV status, COVID-19 status, and self-reported experiences of fear, anxiety, depression and changes in sleep patterns.ResultsIn total, 4,439 participants with mean age of 38.3 (±11.6) years responded to the survey. Factors associated with higher odds of having COVID-19 related fear were health risk (p < 0.05); living with HIV (AOR: 3.88; 95% CI: 3.22–4.69); having COVID-19 symptoms but not tested (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.30–1.99); having a friend who tested positive to COVID-19 (AOR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.07–1.53) and knowing someone who died from COVID-19 (AOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.24–1.65). The odds of feeling anxious was significantly higher for those with moderate or low health risk profile (p < 0.05); living with HIV (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.32–2.04); had a friend who tested positive for COVID-19 (AOR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.08–1.68) or knew someone who died from COVID-19 (AOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.28–1.84). The odds of feeling depressed was significantly higher for those with health risk profile (p < 0.05); living with HIV (AOR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.89–3.28); and respondents who had COVID-19 symptoms but had not taken a test (AOR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.02–1.94). Factors associated with higher odds of having sleep pattern changes were having moderate and low health risk profiles (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe study findings suggest that the pandemic may cause fear, anxiety, depression and changes in sleep patterns differently for people with different health profile, HIV status and COVID-19 status.

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