ACADEMIC, BEHAVIOURAL, HEALTH AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC ON 10-19-YEAR-OLD ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, EDO STATE.

ABSTRACT

Background The coronavirus disease an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Cov-2 virus caused a pandemic worldwide beginning in 2019 in Wuhan, China. The pandemic had varying adverse effects on the human race physically, mentally and socially. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the academic, social, health and behavior of adolescents 10-19 attending University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. Methodology This was a prospective study carried out on 10-19-year-old adolescents between July – December 2021. A convenient sampling technique was used and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected on knowledge of Covid-19, its common symptoms and its impact on the academics, behavior, health and social life of the study participants. Results xv One hundred and fifty participants were recruited for the study, the 13-15-year-old students made up about half of the study population (52%), males 76 (50.7%). More than half 94 (62.7%) had knowledge of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and 150 (100%) claimed not to have any relative or friend who had been infected. Many of the participants (59.3%) got their knowledge of COVID-19 from TV, while 62.7% showed good knowledge of the disease. Many of the participants reported negative impact on their academic (66%), behavior (66%), health (58.7%) and social life (63.3%). Conclusion This study showed that the COVID- 19 pandemic had a negative impact on the academic, behavioural, health and social life of adolescents in Benin city.