THE IMPLICATIONS OF COVID 19 ON RURAL HOUSEHOLD WELLBEING IN CAMEROON: EVIDENCE FROM NDOP IN THE NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

Abstract

COVID-19 has changed a lot in the way people carry out their daily activities, this change in their daily routine has affected some key indicators of household wellbeing. This study aimed at examining the impact of COVID-19 on some of the key household indicators of wellbeing in Ndop, which is a rural area with agriculture as the main activity. Specifically, the study seeks to; assess the impact of COVID-19 on household disposable income, and evaluate the consequences of COVID-19 incidence on healthcare expenditure. We adopted a convenient and purposive sampling technique and questionnaires were administered to 360 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS23 and the models were estimated using ordinary least square (OLS) regression estimation techniques. The result revealed that COVID-19 has a negative and significant effect on household disposable income, as results suggest a drop in household income by 50% due to Covid-19. Secondly, COVID-19 has a negative and significant effect on household healthcare expenditure. To enhance the deteriorating household wellbeing, there is a need for the government to ease the movement of foodstuff from the rural areas to the urban milieu, as this can increase household income in rural areas and hence household expenditure while enhancing the application of Covid-19 protection and treatment measures.