“Further Distance and Silence among Kin”: Social Impact of COVID-19 on Older People in Rural Southeastern Nigeria

Ekoh, Prince Chiagozie; George, Elizabeth Onyedikachi; Agbawodikeizu, Patricia Uju; Ezulike, Chigozie Donatus; Okoye, Uzoma O.; Nnebe, Ikechukwu

doi:10.1080/15350770.2022.2070572

Cited by 7 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Similar to studies on social networks and support for older people in Nigeria, this study showed that the significant convoy members of the OWD before displacement were the family, friends, and neighbours (Ebimgbo & Okoye, 2017; Ekoh, George, et al, 2022). However, because of the convoys' fluidity, some members became inaccessible or less critical, and convoys that were unimportant pre‐displacement took up essential roles to satisfy the OWD's needs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Recruitment was done with the assistance of a staff member of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) working with the IDPs because of their relationship with the IDPs and their knowledge of those who met the criteria (being female, 60 years and over, and ability to communicate in English) required to participate in the study (Bryman, 2016). The chronological age of 60 was adopted because it is the United Nations' definition of older adults (United Nations, 2016) and has been adopted by ageing scholars in Nigeria (Ebimgbo & Okoye, 2017; Ekoh, Chukwu, & Okoye, 2021; Ekoh, George, et al, 2022;). A total of eight OWD were recruited for the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Nigeria, convoys in old age typically comprise family, friends, and neighbours who have been the primary source of social support (Ebimgbo & Okoye, 2017; Ekoh, Chukwu, & Okoye, 2021: Ekoh, George, et al, 2022). They provide tangible support such as food, clothing, money, and so on (Ekoh, Chukwu, & Okoye, 2021; Ekoh, George, et al, 2022; Oladeji, 2011), and intangible support like advice; emotional and psychological support such as listening to, understanding, and comforting older adults, especially during stressful events (Gaveras et al, 2014; Olanrewaju et al, 2018), care in times of illness, help with home repairs, housework assistance, among others. (Oladeji, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the displacement induced changes in social convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD) in Abuja, Nigeria

Ekoh

Chukwuemeka

2023

Int J Soc Welfare

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The world is witnessing a dramatic increase in displaced persons in Africa, Asia, South America, and, most recently, Europe. Within this population of violence‐induced displacement are older women, a group that is mostly unseen because research and relief initiatives primarily target younger women and children. This study aimed to explore the changes in the convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD). Qualitative data were collected from nine OWD using art‐based convoys of concentric circles and interviews. The collected data were analysed in themes, and findings revealed that while there has been intervention from formal organisations to fill the displacement‐induced support gap, supports are still limited, sporadic, not focused on the peculiar needs of OWD, not guided by any framework, and mainly material in design. The study concluded by recommending sustainable support to help OWD become empowered to cope effectively without aid.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the displacement induced changes in social convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD) in Abuja, Nigeria

Ekoh

Chukwuemeka

2023

Int J Soc Welfare

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“…This very human connectedness and resource for positive ageing has suffered from the pandemic, thus afflicting elders. Elders’ positive ageing, incorporating the maintenance of physical and social life, thus erodes with COVID-19 raging worldwide (Ekoh et al, 2022; Elliott et al, 2022). Boosting or restoring elders’ positive ageing is necessary to terminate the pandemic affliction.…”

Section: Positive Ageingmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic and Positive Ageing

Cheung

2023

Psychology and Developing Societies

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Given the havoc of the worldwide coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the older population, this article outlines a positive ageing framework for understanding and assuaging the havoc. Positive ageing follows the dual ageing ethics of living positively for self (maintaining health and functional independence) and for the betterment of others (other individuals and society at large). However, it suffers from the pandemic because the pandemic exacerbates ageism, impedes vaccine uptake and erodes social networks that have been an important resource and source of human connectedness and support for elders. The suffering thus amplifies the havoc of the pandemic on elders’ physical, psychological and social health. Preventing that suffering and advancing positive ageing, possibly by cultivating social networks and through social reforms to harness the silver demographic dividend of older workers for post-pandemic national recovery, are advisable, considering extant and emerging research evidence.

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“…Internal displacement has been the worst humanitarian crisis affecting Nigeria in recent times (Abdulrahman and Zuwaira, 2016), with the Northeast witnessing thousands of people being displaced from their homes and home regions due to the terrorist activities of the Islamic sect Boko-Haram (Ekoh et al , 2022a; Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre IDMC, 2018). In 2014, some persons fleeing conflict in the Northeast migrated to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and settled in several unofficial camps (Nwabughiogu, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ageing in displacement and gaps in support: support for older people in protracted displacement in New-Kuchingoro IDP camp, Abuja, Nigeria

Ekoh

Okoye

Agbawodikeizu

et al. 2023

IJMHSC

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Purpose This study aimed at exploring support for older people in protracted displacement in Nigeria, emphasising the available support and the gap in the support provided to them. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative interviews were used to collect data from ten displaced older people in New-Kuchingoro internally displaced persons (IDP) camp Abuja, Nigeria. The collected data were analysed thematically with NVivo 12. Findings Results show that older people received material, emotional and psychological supports from their families, neighbours, friends, religious organisations and non-governmental organisations. Several gaps were identified in the support provided to displaced older people. For example, their special nutritional or medical needs were neglected, and their support was primarily material, sporadic and spontaneous, as there is no existing framework guiding the care and support of older people in displacement. Research limitations/implications This study provides a foundation for further research on older people in displacement, an area that has received minimal scholarly attention. Practical implications The paper recommends that researchers and displaced persons’ care providers should pay more attention to the peculiar support needs of this less visible vulnerable group and adopt the internal displacement policy for the long-term protection of older people in displacement. Originality/value Older people in displacement remain less visible as humanitarian aid programmes and research focus more on women and children. This lack of attention may put older people in displacement at more risk as their peculiar needs may not be met. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the gap in support for older people in displacement in Nigeria.

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“Further Distance and Silence among Kin”: Social Impact of COVID-19 on Older People in Rural Southeastern Nigeria

Cited by 7 publications

References 36 publications

Exploring the displacement induced changes in social convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD) in Abuja, Nigeria

Exploring the displacement induced changes in social convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD) in Abuja, Nigeria

COVID-19 Pandemic and Positive Ageing

Ageing in displacement and gaps in support: support for older people in protracted displacement in New-Kuchingoro IDP camp, Abuja, Nigeria

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