A STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic had a major effect on the overall well-being and health of medical social workers in Nigeria, particularly in Ibadan, Oyo State. However, despite their role in healthcare, medical social workers in Nigeria received little recognition, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study employed purposive sampling and administered a validated data collection tool (questionnaire) to 102 of an estimated 150 medical social workers from various healthcare institutions in Ibadan. Data were analysed using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC).

Findings revealed a correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and the source of stress for medical social workers in Oyo State, Nigeria (r (98) = .327, p < 0.05). This indicated that medical social workers in Oyo State were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic due to stressors. The second hypothesis also showed a correlation between medical social workers' coping strategies and the COVID-19 pandemic (r (278) = .425, p < 0.05), highlighting that they employed coping mechanisms.

The research concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic posed severe stressors for medical social workers in Ibadan, despite the vital role they played. This lack of acknowledgement and the impact on their mental health underscored the need for better support systems and recognition in future health crises.

Keywords: Mental health, coping mechanisms, medical social workers, Oyo state, COVID-19, Nigeria.