LIVELIHOOD CHALLENGES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMIDST COVID19 PANDEMIC IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The effect of the corona virus, as well as inadequate livelihood sources due to the Covid-19 lockdown, demand the social and economic survival of the Bayelsa residents. This study, therefore, examined Covid-19, its impact on the livelihood and the coping strategies adopted by the Bayelsa people. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and an in-depth content analysis in order to explore the necessary information for the study, and the study was conducted among residents of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State and essential data was gotten from primary and secondary sources. An online and physical questionnaire was evenly circulated among residents of Yenagoa. Data Analysis was done using frequency and percentage while the result was presented in tables and charts. The result of the study showed that the average age of respondents was between 31-40 years (54.2%), with the female being the majority representing (55.7%), majority of the respondents are married with (66.7%) of the population and those with FLSC-SSCE (47.8%) emerging as the majority. The inability to afford three square meals in a day; reduction in weekly personal income; reduction in family income and business were the identified livelihood challenges due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. This was significantly associated with anxiety and depression. Coping strategies adopted by the residents of the city we're staying at home generally/watching TV, going about their normal business, going out in search for food, others are working from home, spent time with family, sports activities, always sleeping, maintain social distance at the business place and praying to God for intervention. The study recommended that Government should make policies against a total lockdown to ease pressure on the citizens in the event of further occurrences and that Government should focus on providing sufficient relief materials in times such as this. Experts and mass media platforms should engage the people on steps to provide more psychological support and coping strategies for mental, health and economic survival.