Samuel Iddi1, Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah2,3, Irene Korkoi Aboh4, Reginald Quansah5, Samuel Asiedu Owusu3, Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan4, Ruby Victoria Kodom6, Epaphrodite Nsabimana7, Stefan Jansen7, Benard Ekumah8, Sheila A Boamah9, Godfred Odei Boateng10, David Teye Doku3,11, Frederick Ato Armah3,8. 1. Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana. 2. Department of Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 3. Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 4. Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 5. Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana. 6. Department of Public Administration and Health Services, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana. 7. Mental Health & Behaviour Research Group, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda. 8. Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 9. School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. 10. Global & Environmental Health Lab, Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America. 11. Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures adopted by countries globally can lead to stress and anxiety. Investigating the coping strategies to this unprecedented crisis is essential to guide mental health intervention and public health policy. This study examined how people are coping with the COVID-19 crisis in Ghana and identify factors influencing it. METHODS: This study was part of a multinational online cross-sectional survey on Personal and Family Coping with COVID-19 in the Global South. The study population included adults, ≥18 years and residents in Ghana. Respondents were recruited through different platforms, including social media and phone calls. The questionnaire was composed of different psychometrically validated instruments with coping as the outcome variable measured on the ordinal scale with 3 levels, namely, Not well or worse, Neutral, and Well or better. An ordinal logistic regression model using proportional odds assumption was then applied. RESULTS: A total of 811 responses were included in the analysis with 45.2% describing their coping level as well/better, 42.4% as neither worse nor better and 12.4% as worse/not well. Many respondents (46.9%) were between 25-34 years, 50.1% were males while 79.2% lived in urban Ghana. Having pre-existing conditions increased the chances of not coping well (aOR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.15-3.01). Not being concerned about supporting the family financially (aOR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.06-2.68) or having the feeling that life is better during the pandemic (aOR = 2.37, 95%CI: 1.26-4.62) increased chances of coping well. Praying (aOR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.43-0.90) or sleeping (aOR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34-0.89) more during the pandemic than before reduces coping. CONCLUSION: In Ghana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial security and optimism about the disease increase one's chances of coping well while having pre-existing medical conditions, praying and sleeping more during the pandemic than before reduces one's chances of coping well. These findings should be considered in planning mental health and public health intervention/policy.
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures adopted by countries globally can lead to stress and anxiety. Investigating the coping strategies to this unprecedented crisis is essential to guide mental health intervention and public health policy. This study examined how people are coping with the COVID-19 crisis in Ghana and identify factors influencing it. METHODS: This study was part of a multinational online cross-sectional survey on Personal and Family Coping with COVID-19 in the Global South. The study population included adults, ≥18 years and residents in Ghana. Respondents were recruited through different platforms, including social media and phone calls. The questionnaire was composed of different psychometrically validated instruments with coping as the outcome variable measured on the ordinal scale with 3 levels, namely, Not well or worse, Neutral, and Well or better. An ordinal logistic regression model using proportional odds assumption was then applied. RESULTS: A total of 811 responses were included in the analysis with 45.2% describing their coping level as well/better, 42.4% as neither worse nor better and 12.4% as worse/not well. Many respondents (46.9%) were between 25-34 years, 50.1% were males while 79.2% lived in urban Ghana. Having pre-existing conditions increased the chances of not coping well (aOR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.15-3.01). Not being concerned about supporting the family financially (aOR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.06-2.68) or having the feeling that life is better during the pandemic (aOR = 2.37, 95%CI: 1.26-4.62) increased chances of coping well. Praying (aOR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.43-0.90) or sleeping (aOR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34-0.89) more during the pandemic than before reduces coping. CONCLUSION: In Ghana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial security and optimism about the disease increase one's chances of coping well while having pre-existing medical conditions, praying and sleeping more during the pandemic than before reduces one's chances of coping well. These findings should be considered in planning mental health and public health intervention/policy.
Authors: Frank Quansah; John E Hagan; Francis Ankomah; Medina Srem-Sai; James B Frimpong; Francis Sambah; Thomas Schack Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-03-30
Authors: John Elvis Hagan; Frank Quansah; Stephen Kofi Anin; Richmond Stephen Sorkpor; Richard Samuel Kwadwo Abieraba; James Boadu Frimpong; Medina Srem-Sai; Thomas Schack Journal: Behav Sci (Basel) Date: 2022-03-17