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.

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

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.779498

Abstract

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.

Highlights

For many individuals, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of fear, depression, and anxiety; all of which can lead to changes in sleep quality and patterns
The factors associated with significantly higher odds of having COVID-19 related fear were being a male (AOR: 1.15; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01–1.30); being employed (AOR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08–1.46); having high (AOR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.17–2.45) and moderate (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.34–1.93) health risk; living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (AOR: 3.88; 95% CI: 3.22–4.69); having COVID-19 symptoms but not yet 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)
Respondents had significantly higher odds of feeling anxious when they had moderate (AOR: 2.61; 95% CI: 2.15– 3.18) or low (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.18–1.90) health risk profile; 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)

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of fear, depression, and anxiety; all of which can lead to changes in sleep quality and patterns. The fear of the unknown appears to be a core component of anxiety that accompanies situations that are unpredictable and uncontrollable [5, 6]. Fear of these threats is often learned, irrespective of the probability of its occurrence, and results from the inability to tolerate uncertainty [7]. Multiple 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

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Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion