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Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic among Caregivers of Young Children in Kenya’s Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Vibian Angwenyi

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Margaret Kabue

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Esther Chongwo

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Adam Mabrouk

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Ezra Kipngetich Too

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Rachel Odhiambo

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Carophine Nasambu

    (Neurosciences Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kilifi P.O. Box 230-80108, Kenya)

  • Joyce Marangu

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Derrick Ssewanyana

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya
    Alliance for Human Development, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5T 3L9, Canada)

  • Eunice Njoroge

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Eunice Ombech

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Mercy Moraa Mokaya

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Emmanuel Kepha Obulemire

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya)

  • Anil Khamis

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya
    Institute of Education, University College London, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL, UK)

  • Amina Abubakar

    (Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya
    Neurosciences Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kilifi P.O. Box 230-80108, Kenya)

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 has profoundly affected mental health, especially among highly vulnerable populations. This study describes mental health issues among caregivers of young children and pregnant women in three urban informal settlements in Kenya during the first pandemic year, and factors associated with poor mental health. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 845 participants. Survey instruments included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and questions on the perceived COVID-19 effects on caregiver wellbeing and livelihood. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate analysis. Caregivers perceived COVID-19 as a threatening condition (94.54%), affecting employment and income activities (>80%). Caregivers experienced discrimination (15.27%) and violence (12.6%) during the pandemic. Levels of depression (34%), general anxiety (20%), and COVID-19 related anxiety (14%) were highly prevalent. There were significant associations between mental health outcomes and economic and socio-demographic factors, violence and discrimination experiences, residency, and perceptions of COVID-19 as a threatening condition. Caregivers high burden of mental health problems highlights the urgent need to provide accessible mental health support. Innovative and multi-sectoral approaches will be required to maximize reach to underserved communities in informal settlements and tackle the root causes of mental health problems in this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Vibian Angwenyi & Margaret Kabue & Esther Chongwo & Adam Mabrouk & Ezra Kipngetich Too & Rachel Odhiambo & Carophine Nasambu & Joyce Marangu & Derrick Ssewanyana & Eunice Njoroge & Eunice Ombech & Mer, 2021. "Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic among Caregivers of Young Children in Kenya’s Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10092-:d:643179
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Constance Shumba & Rose Maina & Gladys Mbuthia & Rachel Kimani & Stella Mbugua & Sweta Shah & Amina Abubakar & Stanley Luchters & Sheila Shaibu & Eunice Ndirangu, 2020. "Reorienting Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Winter, Samantha & Obara, Lena Moraa & McMahon, Sarah, 2020. "Intimate partner violence: A key correlate of women’s physical and mental health in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya," OSF Preprints hs2dv, Center for Open Science.
    3. Siqi Zhang & Ruirui Dang & Ning Yang & Yu Bai & Lei Wang & Cody Abbey & Scott Rozelle, 2018. "Effect of Caregiver’s Mental Health on Early Childhood Development across Different Rural Communities in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-25, October.
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