COVID-19 pandemic, psychological response to quarantine, and knowledge of the disease among inmates in a Nigerian custodial center

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional study to assess the psychological response to quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic and the level of knowledge about the disease among inmates of a Custodial Center in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of 66 new prison inmates were assessed for psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10); and inmates’ knowledge about COVID-19 using a COVID-19 Knowledge Questionnaire developed by the researchers. Participants had a mean age of 28.39±8.71 years; 63 (95.5%) were male inmates and 3 (4.5%) were female inmates. In total, 61 (92.4%) were awaiting-trial inmates, 43 (65.1%) had psychological distress, and 35 (53%) had completed at least secondary school. Those with higher educational level were significantly more knowledgeable about the disease than those with lower educational level (t(64)=-5.72; p˂0.01). Though not statistically significant, psychological distress was found to be associated with insufficient knowledge about the disease (t(64)=1.42; p=0.16). The mean score for the COVID-19 questionnaire among the participants was 3.82±3.33 which is indicative of poor knowledge of the disease among them. Considering responses to specific questions contained in the questionnaire, knowledge about some questions was relatively high. For example, a majority of the participants 45 (68.2%) correctly responded that death can be a complication of COVID-19; whereas half of them 33 (50%) correctly responded that regular hand washing with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the disease. Nevertheless, responses to some questions showed poor knowledge about the disease as 18 (27.3%) correctly answered that COVID-19 can affect the lungs, while 20 (30.3%) correctly responded that COVID-19 is caused by a virus. Our study highlighted the need to have all quarantined persons educated about the disease for which they are being quarantined. It also provided the opportunity to raise awareness of COVD-19 among the inmates.

“Fear can hold you, hope can set you free”. Analysis of Italian prisoner narrative experience of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Workers of “La Nave” ward have confirmed that an awareness-raising campaign on flu and anti-pneumococcal vaccination is currently underway. It is well known that receiving information about COVID-19 could prevent psychological distress or anxiety ( WHO, 2020 ), whilst a paucity of information can produce high psychological distress for prisoners ( Okoro et al , 2020 ). For “cognitions” an interesting issue was the way detainees evaluated and represented the virus to themselves.…”

“…This can be achieved by providing knowledge about what is happening and why, providing meaningful activities, ensuring supplies such as masks, disinfectants and regular sanitizing materials (especially in a context of prison overcrowding) and continuing to provide psychiatric and psychological support. Recent studies underlined the difference in the development of psychological distress between quarantined people in prison and the general population ( Kothari et al , 2020 ; Okoro et al , 2020 ). Okoro et al (2020) observed that the high level of psychological distress among people in prison can stem from a poorer level of knowledge about COVID-19, sometimes associated with lower levels of education compared to the general population.…”

“…Recent studies underlined the difference in the development of psychological distress between quarantined people in prison and the general population ( Kothari et al , 2020 ; Okoro et al , 2020 ). Okoro et al (2020) observed that the high level of psychological distress among people in prison can stem from a poorer level of knowledge about COVID-19, sometimes associated with lower levels of education compared to the general population.…”

Compliance with Covid-19 Non-Medicinal Preventive Protocol and Intent to Accept Covid-19 Vaccine Among Adults in South Eastern Nigeria

“…In terms of the perception of the respondents about covid-19, majority of them strongly agreed that the disease is real and is a serious disease but not in Nigeria where most of the participants strongly disagreed that people did not die from the disease, know or have seen someone who suffered from the since the disease can be prevented through regular washing of hands with soap, maintaining social distance, wearing of nose mask, cleaning and disinfecting the environment. (32) in their study found that 4/5 of the respondents perceived there are con rmed cases of the disease in Nigeria and other parts the world.…”

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Africa’s Healthcare System and Psychosocial Life

“…With regards quarantined individuals, a study in Enugu, Nigeria proposed that in quarantined individuals, significant knowledge about COVID-19 was lower among those with psychological distress than among those without psychological distress. They suggested that it is essential to constantly educate people before, during and after quarantine [31].…”