COVID-19 in Rural Nigeria: Diminishing Social Support for Older People in Nigeria

• Main Authors: Prince Chiagozie Ekoh, Patricia Ujunwa Agbawodikeizu, Chukwuemeka Ejimkararonye, Elizabeth Onyedikachi George, Chigozie Donatus Ezulike, Ikechukwu Nnebe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-12-01
• Series: Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721420986301

Social support provided by family, friends and neighbors has been essential for the survival and wellbeing of older people in Nigeria. However, the reduced social contact between older people and their social network because of the social distancing recommendations and other non-pharmaceutical approaches to protect them from COVID-19 may threaten their social support. Our study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural older people in Nigeria using qualitative data collected from 11 older adults residing in rural Nigeria through in-depth interviews. The collected data was translated and transcribed, coded using Nvivo12 and analyzed thematically. Findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reduction in both material support in the forms of food and money, and intangible support in the forms of assistance, communication and care, due to limited social contact. Furthermore, the economic consequence of the pandemic may have severe implications for the health and wellbeing of older people. Social workers should therefore advocate the distribution of food and care supplies to rural older people to cushion the economic impact of diminishing social support, and also creatively help them maintain social connectedness.