Commentary on the coronavirus pandemic: Nigeria.

Abstract

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.

Mental health research in the lower-middle-income countries of Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

“…Nigeria being a densely populated country, is experiencing challenges related to mental health issues in the context of COVID-19. The limited existing research on mental health-related to COVID-19 discusses the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and the need for psychosocial support ( Aluh & Onu, 2020 ; Chukwuorji & Iorfa, 2020 ; Kola, 2020 ; Otu, Charles, & Yaya, 2020 ).…”

Peer Review #2 of "Perception and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban community in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study (v0.2)"

“…The perception of the illness as an avenue for politicians to enrich themselves indicates that there still exists inadequate knowledge of the Coronavirus among community members in Ibadan. Denial, ignorance regarding COVID-19, and the existing lack of trust in the Nigerian government have been reported since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria (Chukwuorji & Iorfa, 2020). From the present study, a high rating of the perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19 was observed among 26% of respondents, while it was minimally perceived as an attack by the Western World among nearly 20%.…”

“…Literatures have reported the existence of knowledge relating to COVID-19 among Nigerians, and it is expected that this would influence precautionary behavior among them. However, inherent wrong perceptions may contribute to COVID-19 risk aversion measures (Iorfa et al, 2020). Perceptions of COVID-19 has been influenced by age and gender.…”

“…Perceptions of COVID-19 has been influenced by age and gender. Due to their increased vulnerability to illnesses, older persons have been predicted to increasingly adopt precautionary behavior compared to other population groups (Iorfa et al, 2020). Females have been identified as models in the adoption of precautionary health behavior.…”

“…Females have been identified as models in the adoption of precautionary health behavior. In the COVID-19 context, the practice of handwashing, hygiene, and use of face masks occur more frequently among females than males (Iorfa et al, 2020). Such an occurrence could be due to the perceived susceptibility to illnesses among females as well as their health-conscious nature.…”