Effects of fear of infection of covid-19 at the marketplace on psychological well-being of micro business enterprise traders in Nakuru city top market, Nakuru county, Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of fear of infection of covid-19 in the marketplace on the psychological well-being of the micro business enterprise traders in Nakuru City Top Market between June and December 2020. The study was guided by Rational Emotive Behaviour theory. The study deployed a cross-sectional survey design. Quantitative data collection was done with a structured questionnaire tool. In addition, a structured Schedule interview questionnaire was used to collect qualitative data. Before the tools were adopted for the actual research, a pilot study was conducted in Naivasha Municipal Market for the purpose of testing the tools’ reliability. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse quantitative data, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. To safeguard the well-being of the respondents, ethical considerations were observed throughout the duration of the study. The study revealed that the effects of COVID-19 on microbusiness trade affected the psychological well-being of the microbusiness traders in Nakuru City Top Market. The study recommended that group counselling interventions should be introduced to help the traders recover from the post effects of the pandemic and equip them with skills to cope with future catastrophes of a similar nature. The study also recommended psychological wellbeing awareness campaigns to disseminate information to microbusiness traders in Nakuru City Top Market.