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COVID-19 Lockdown and Mental Health Consequences among Farming Households in Nigeria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aims This study examined the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown among farming households in rural Nigeria. Method A structured questionnaire was utilised to elicit information from 585 crop farmers across four States in Nigeria. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Result The mean age of respondents was 44 years, with an average farming experience of 21 years. The average farm size was found to be 2.4 hectares. About 56% of the respondents were able to identify COVID-19-induced farm business stress. About 70% reported they had experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 lockdown. About 54% of the respondents self-reported COVID-19-induced mental health stress. About 74% reported experiencing mental health effects in the form of headaches, 48% said anxiety, 44% reported worry, and 41% reported depression. Self-reported mental health coping strategies include rest (63%), social gathering (57%), religious gathering (52%), and the use of drugs (40%). Males were 3.7 times more likely to experience COVID-19-induced mental health issues from their farm business than their female counterparts. Single respondents were 2.44 times more likely to experience COVID-19-induced mental health issues from their farm business than their married counterparts. We also documented that households with larger family sizes had lower mental health stress. We also found that respondents with higher incomes had lower mental health stress. Conclusion We concluded that most farming households experienced COVID-19-induced mental health stress. Targeted mental health campaigns, support, and intervention are recommended to help farmers address mental health stressors.

Source: The Open Public Health Journal

DOI: 10.2174/0118749445369397250203110255

Authors: Toyin Samuel Olowogbon, Aaron Moses Yoder, Luke Oloruntoba Adebisi

Institution: Federal University Oye Ekiti

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth, Zero hunger, No poverty

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: University of the Western Cape