ABSTRACT
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had various psychosocial effects amongst different categories of individuals, thereby putting people at greater risk of mental health crisis. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the psychosocial effect of lockdown during covid-19 in a selected community of Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State. This study is a cross-sectional, survey research design and was conducted among a target population of 2516 adult male and female residents of Okirigwre community that are between the ages of 20 years and 80 years. However, a sample size of 380 adult male and female residents was selected using convenient sampling technique. Self-structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection which was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and three other experts taking into consideration the face, content and constructs validity of the instrument. The research instrument yielded a reliability score of 0.76 in a pilot study conducted, thus indicating that the instrument was reliable. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages and mean as well as Chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. The study findings revealed that that majority had mild depression, while less than one third had minimal depression, moderate depression, and moderately severe depression. Also, it was found that lack of relieve package, close contact with individuals, information coming from social media and news about COVID-19, disruption in daily life schedules, financial constraint, and hunger are the risk factors associated with psychosocial effect of COVID-19 lockdown. Based on the study findings, the study thus recommends that government at all levels as well as multinational agencies should make concerted efforts to ensure that people adequately cope with the current situation of Nigeria following the COVID 19 pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, psychosocial effects, residents in okirigwre community
