Interrogating the Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Livelihoods Demographics and Health of Residents of South-East Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on the effects of covid-19 pandemic on livelihoods, demographics and health of residents of South-East Nigeria. The study specifically investigated: the effects of covid-19 pandemic on livelihoods; demographic conditions; and health conditions of residents in South-East Nigeria; and how the livelihoods of such residents can be improved. It was hypothesized that “there is a significant relationship between Covid-19 lockdown and increase in fertility among couples; and that there is a significant relationship between Covid-19 pandemic and access to healthcare facilities. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected through questionnaire and FGD. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 865 respondents for quantitative study while 12 FGDs were conducted for the qualitative data. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS Version 20.0 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis. The hypotheses were tested using ANOVA to determine the variation between outbreak of COVID-19 and lack of access to healthcare facilities. It was found that the pandemic affected the livelihoods of half of the southeastern Nigeria’s residents, and a majority of them could easily pay their children’s fees before covid-19 than after; fed better before COVID-19 than after; had a better income before COVID-19 than after; were bereaved because of the poverty orchestrated by covid-19; had their movement curtailed; neglected the use of contraceptive; and was healthier before covid-19 than after. There is a significant increase in fertility due to COVID-19 lockdown at p = .012; and a significant difference between outbreak of COVID-19 and lack of access to healthcare facilities at p = .001. This means that excessive lockdowns and work-from-home orchestrated by covid-19 made couples to meet more frequently, thereby resulting in more births given the difficulty in accessing contraceptives and family planning services at that pandemic period. Besides, the lockdowns resulted in the lockup of so many healthcare facilities, and hindered access to healthcare facilities It was therefore recommended that awareness creation about opportunities that Covid-19- orchestrated changes have brought in Southeast should commence without wasting time.