COVID-19 lockdown and mental health: Exploring triggers of mental health distress among women in the Copperbelt province, Zambia

Abstract

Abstract More than 60,000 deaths from COVID-19 had been confirmed as of the 1st of August 2020. Concerns about physical and psychological wellbeing had increased across the world with women disproportionately being affected. This research was set to explore the triggers of mental health distress among women during COVID-19 lockdown. The research study utilized a qualitative descriptive approach. Forty (N = 40) women were recruited to take part in the research study. A one to one semi structured interview schedule was used to collect data. NVivo Version 11, QSR International Pty was utilized to organize data for analysis. Content analysis was used to identify, describe, and make inferences about the qualitative data generated. Findings from new interviews were compared for consensus and disagreement. Categories were then collapsed and analyzed into clusters from which concepts and themes were developed. The research study found that the triggers for mental health distress among the research participants included domestic violence, loss of employment, stress of managing children indoors, fear of COVID-19 infection, loneliness and poor access to health services. There is need to consider radical sensitive approaches in preventing triggers of mental health distress among women.