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01-01-2021 | COVID-19 | Original Paper

Short-Term Changes in Behaviors Resulting from COVID-19-Related Social Isolation and Their Influences on Mental Health in Ghana

Authors: Nestor Asiamah, Frank Frimpong Opuni, Edwin Mends-Brew, Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, Henry Kofi Mensah, Fidelis Quansah

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

This study assessed the behavioral outcomes of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) social distancing protocols and their influences on mental health. An online survey hosted by Survey Monkey was utilized to collect data from residents of three Ghanaian cities of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. A total of 621 surveys were analyzed, with a sensitivity analysis utilized to select covariates for the regression model. The average age of participants was about 36 years. Findings indicate that reduced physical activity time and a change in sexual activity and smoking frequency are some short-term changes in behavior resulting from social isolation during the lockdown. An increase in sedentary behavior had a negative influence on mental health. For the most part, changes in behaviors in the short-term were associated with lower mental health scores. The study implied that COVID-19 social distancing measures should be implemented alongside public education for discouraging unhealthy changes in behaviors.

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Title: Short-Term Changes in Behaviors Resulting from COVID-19-Related Social Isolation and Their Influences on Mental Health in Ghana
Authors: Nestor Asiamah
Frank Frimpong Opuni
Edwin Mends-Brew
Samuel Worlanyo Mensah
Henry Kofi Mensah
Fidelis Quansah
Publication date: 01-01-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00722-4

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Short-Term Changes in Behaviors Resulting from COVID-19-Related Social Isolation and Their Influences on Mental Health in Ghana

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