THE NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
ISSN: 0331-4111 e-ISSN: 2736-075X
Volume 23, No. 1, June 2025
Pages 48-71
DOI: 10.36108/NJSA/5202.32.0130
Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown on Health Disparities in the Private Sector: Implications for Sustainable Development in Ogun State, Nigeria
1 Starris-Onyema Promise Nkwachi, 2 Nuraini Usman, 3 Victoria Isiguzo, 4 Uwannah Ngozi Caroline
1, 2 Solution Africa and Development Centre, Ogun State, Nigeria
2 Department of International Programmes, Jigawa State Polytechnic for Information and Communication Technology, Kazaure, Nigeria
3 Marketing Department, Nas Satellite Limited, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
4 Department of Education, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria
Abstract
This paper examined the influence of COVID-19 lockdown on health disparities among 336 private sector employees in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria, for sustainable development. The effects of the socio-economic attributes on the health status and the link among the socio-economic factors, health behaviours, and health status during the lockdown period were analysed using a mixed-methods approach. The demographic analysis portrays a younger and more educated workforce, with health disparities aggravated by income loss and limited healthcare access during the lockdown. Mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, were significant issues faced by employees. Additionally, pre-lockdown health status and personal health management operations strongly influenced well-being of the employees during the lockdown. Interestingly, income and healthcare access did not significantly predict health outcomes, indicating that personal health behaviours played a more central role. The findings revealed the need to scale up healthful living practises, as tenacity in healthcare systems is important in developing strategies for future pandemics. This study provides invaluable understanding for policymakers, highlighting the need for tailored advancement in promoting equity in healthcare for future public health emergencies.
Keywords: COVID-19 lockdown, health disparities, socio-economic factors, sustainable development