Perceived ability to comply with national COVID-19 mitigation strategies and their impact on household finances, food security, and mental well-being of medical and pharmacy students in Liberia

Abstract

Introduction From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, guidance from WHO has promoted social distancing, wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, and staying-at-home as measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For many across Africa, compliance can be difficult. The aim of this study was to 1) understand the impact of student’s household’s ability to comply with COVID-19 mitigation strategies, 2) identify predictors of mitigation strategy compliance, and 3) describe the impact of COVID-19 on household economics, food-security, and mental well-being. Materials and methods We conducted an email-based survey among current medical and pharmacy students of the University of Liberia College of Health Sciences between July and October 2020. The questionnaire was designed to explore their household’s ability to comply with current mitigation strategies, as well as the pandemic´s impact on the student’s household’s finances and food security. Descriptive statistics were used to delineate demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to model factors associated with ability to comply with COVID-19 mitigation strategies, as well as participant’s food security. Results 113 persons responded to the questionnaire. Seventy-six (67∙3%) reported income losses as a result of the pandemic, with 93 (82∙3%) reporting being “somewhat” or “very worried” about their households’ finances. Seventy-seven (68∙1%) participants reported food stocks that were sufficient for one-week or less. Forty (35%) participants reported eating less preferred foods or skipping meals in the past week. Overall, 20 participants (19∙4%) had a positive depression screen. Conclusions Study participants showed mixed results in being able to adhere to national COVID-19 mitigation strategies, with household level stressors experienced around finances and food security. Until Liberia has access to vaccinations for most of its citizens, COVID-19 response measures need to provide social protections that address basic needs (shelter, clothing and food), and which specifically targets food insecurity. Preventative interventions for mental health problems must be incorporated into Liberia’s response to the pandemic.

Pharmacy Students’ Mental Health and Resilience in COVID-19: An Assessment after One Year of Online Education

“…Such a status of the mental health of pharmacy students at the time of the pandemic was accompanied by low resilience observed in about 40% of the participants, also lower than reported in other studies using the BRS during the pandemic [41,42]. Taken together, these data add to the available evidence on the influence of the pandemic on the mental health of students [9], including those in health-related schools [43,44], and are in context with previous studies addressing the mental health of pharmacy students in the wake of the global pandemic [27][28][29][30].…”

“…Prior to the pandemic, studies assessing the mental health of pharmacy students have revealed high academic stress levels and poor mental health [ 24 , 25 ], sometimes even higher than other students [ 26 ]. In the wake of the global pandemic, studies from this region [ 27 , 28 ] and elsewhere [ 29 , 30 ] have demonstrated mental health concerns and negative feelings among pharmacy students, highlighting the need for proper educational reforms and approaches to improve students’ quality of life during times of vulnerability. As such, a local study that assesses Lebanese pharmacy students’ mental health was deemed necessary.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Lifestyle, Personal Attitudes, and Mental Health Among Korean Medical Students: Network Analysis of Associated Patterns

“…In total, 507 of 597 students (84.9%), higher percentage of response than other recent studies for medical students (34) or public health doctors (35) during COVID-19 pandemic, responded to the questionnaire. After excluding data for 53 students with missing values, our final dataset included deidentified responses from 454 medical students (123 in the first year of medical school, 110 in the second year, 121 in the third year, and 100 in the fourth year) at Seoul National University College of Medicine during June and July of 2020.…”

Sustainable palm weevil farming as nutrition supplementation at maternity waiting homes in Liberia

“…Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity for many Liberians, including MWH staff. Nearly 70% of participants from one study in Liberia reported new-onset food insecurity from the pandemic [ 28 ]. Guaranteeing that staff feel supported not only in rearing edible insects for MWH residents, but also their own food access, is paramount.…”