Nkiru Edith Obande-Ogbuinya1, Christian Okechukwu Aleke2*, Akulue T.D.1, Lois Nnenna Omaka-Omari2, MaryJoy Umoke1, Onyechi Nwankwo3, Eunice Nwafor Afoke2, Patricia C Ngwakwe1, Ben N Ohuruogu2, Imah Henry Ikechukwu4, Esther Ihuoma David5
The COVID-19 pandemic with its unique measures to attenuate the spread has created a public hysteria especially among the adult. This study aimed at assessing the psychosocial effect during the outbreak of Covid-19 among the elderly in Ebonyi state. The descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed. A snowballing sampling technique was used in the study due to lockdown and movement restriction at the time of the study. An online semi-structured questionnaire was developed using Google forms. The link of the questionnaire was sent through emails, WhatsApp and other social media platform for people to fill. 81 adults between 18 years and above participated. This comprised 41(50.6%) males and 40(49.4%) females. Data collected were analyzed using percentages while, ANOVA and T-tests were used to test the null hypotheses at .05 significant levels. Results indicated that 50% of adult 18 years-24 years had anxiety, 50% had distress, 66.6% had insomnia and 25% had depression. Also adult between 25 years-44 years, 66.7% had anxiety, 31.3% had distress, 62.5% had insomnia and 14.6% had depression. While more psychosocial effects were reported among 45 years-64 years with 72% having anxiety, 36% with distress, 66.6% with insomnia and 16% with depression. By gender, the females had more psychological effects than the males. As greater number of women 72.5% indicated anxiety, 30% indicated distress, 45% show insomnia and 22.5% indicated depression whereas 61% men shows anxiety, 34.1% shows distress, 34.1% indicated insomnia and 9.8% shows depression. The result of the null hypothesis tested indicated age difference with (p=0.006) and gender (P<0.035) in psychosocial effects of COVID-19. The study concluded that an intervention programme such as psychosocial health care services among adult population in Ebonyi state is required against future epidemic.