A recent survey conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, the University of Maryland, and Meta has shed light on the sentiments and challenges faced by Nigerians during the ongoing pandemic. The survey, carried out in Nigeria and 20 other countries, aimed to gauge people’s well-being, health, and various issues related to the pandemic.
Positive Outlook and Health Satisfaction
The survey found that a significant 73.9 percent of Nigerians expressed satisfaction with their lives. Additionally, a notable 91.4 percent reported having good, very good, or excellent health. These positive outlooks were mirrored in other countries where the survey was conducted, including Argentina, Brazil, India, and the United States.
Survey Methodology
Data for the survey was collected from Facebook users in these countries, chosen based on geographic spread and the Facebook Active User Base. The survey involved translating questionnaires into 15 languages and sending them to Facebook users in 21 countries. To ensure representative results, survey weights were calculated to correct for sampling bias.
The survey was taken by over 621,000 people aged 18 and older between March and May 2023. In Nigeria, 27,358 people participated.
Challenges Faced
Despite positive sentiments, the survey revealed some challenges in Nigeria. Around 50.9 percent of respondents reported experiencing food insecurity, sometimes or often not having enough to eat due to financial constraints. Moreover, 57.6 percent of those with health conditions in Nigeria reported being unable to receive necessary care in the last six months, primarily due to financial limitations.
Vaccine Confidence and Education Disruption
Vaccine confidence in Nigeria appeared lower than the global average, with only 22.4 percent of adults believing vaccines are safe, effective, and important for both children and adults. The most common barrier to vaccine uptake in Nigeria was a shortage of vaccines. Among parents who opposed vaccinating their children, the most common reason cited was concerns about possible side effects, mentioned by 47.8 percent of these parents.
The survey also highlighted an education disruption in Nigeria, with 17.7 percent of individuals aged 5-25 years who attended school before the pandemic no longer in school at the time of the survey. The most common reasons for discontinuing school were already graduating (43.2 percent) and the inability to afford school (24.7 percent).
Economic Impact
Economic security remained a significant concern, with 47.5 percent of Nigerians reporting that their current household income was lower than before the pandemic.
Trust in Institutions
Among the institutions surveyed, international health organizations received the highest level of trust among Nigerian respondents, at 72.6 percent. Conversely, the police were regarded as the least trustworthy organization, with only 34.8 percent expressing trust in them.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation stated, “These findings offer valuable insights into Nigeria’s challenges in public health, economic security, and trust in institutions. Policymakers can utilize this information to address these issues by improving healthcare access, enhancing vaccine confidence through better information dissemination, supporting education, and tackling economic and food insecurity.”