Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic Restriction of Movement on Mental Health of Children in Kapsabet Town, Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya recorded the first case of COVID-19 on 13th March 2020. This led to immediate measures including restriction of movement, wearing of masks, washing hands, distancing, isolation, suspension of international flights, including mandatory quarantine of incoming residents, closure of bars, closure of educational institutions and restrictions on restaurant opening hours; and a ban on large gatherings. These measures were likely to affect people especially children who never knew of anything like being out of schools for more than three months. This study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on children mental health. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The sample comprised 200 parents in Kapsabet town. Parents were sampled using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire for parents and analysed using frequencies and percentages. The results showed that COVID-19 pandemic restriction of movement has led to psychological distress among children in Kapsabet town. It was recommended that psychological counselling should be done to improve the mental health of children in Kapsabet town.