COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Food Security and Caused Psychosocial Stress in Selected States of Nigeria

Dauda G. Bwala, Olutosin Otekunrin, Oluwawemimo O. Adebowale, Modupe M. Fasina, Ismail A. Odetokun and Folorunso O. Fasina ()
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Dauda G. Bwala: Virology Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930101, Nigeria
Oluwawemimo O. Adebowale: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 110124, Nigeria
Modupe M. Fasina: Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Ismail A. Odetokun: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240272, Nigeria
Folorunso O. Fasina: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nairobi 00601, Kenya

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: The COVID-19 disease has infected many countries, causing generalized impacts on different income categories. We carried out a survey among households (n = 412) representing different income groups in Nigeria. We used validated food insecurity experience and socio-psychologic tools. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The earning capacities of the respondents ranged from 145 USD/month for low-income earners to 1945 USD/month for high-income earners. A total of 173 households (42%) ran out of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. All categories of households experienced increasing dependency on the general public and a perception of increasing insecurity, with the high-income earners experiencing the greatest shift. In addition, increasing levels of anger and irritation were experienced among all categories. Of the socio-demographic variables, only gender, educational level of the household head, work hours per day, and family income based on society class were associated ( p < 0.05) with food security and hunger due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although psychological stress was observed to be greater in the low-income earning group, household heads with medium and high family income were more likely to have satisfactory experiences regarding food security and hunger. It is recommended that socio-economic groups should be mapped and support systems should target each group to provide the needed support in terms of health, social, economic, and mental wellness.

Keywords: COVID-19; food insecurity; psychological impact; socio-economics; food access; Nigeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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