COVID-19 Pandemic Curfew Related Stresses in a Sample of Women in Kimumu Ward of Eldoret Town

Abstract

This study examined COVID-19 related stresses in Eldoret East District, Uasin Gishu County. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) What is the level of stress among women in Kimumu Ward, Eldoret Town during COVID-19 pandemic curfew? (2) Is there a relationship between age and areas of stress among women during the COVID-19 curfew in Kimumu Ward, Eldoret Town? (3) Is there a relationship between level of education and stress in Kimumu Ward, Eldoret Town? (4) What are the areas of stress among women in Kimumu Ward, Eldoret Town during the COVID-19 curfew? (5) Is there a relationship between a woman’s occupation and COVID-19 related stress in Kimumu Ward, Eldoret Town? The following research hypotheses were addressed: H ₁ : There is a relationship between age and COVID-19 curfew related stress in a sample of women H ₂ : There is a relationship between level of education and COVID-19 curfew related stress in a sample of women H ₃ : There is a relationship between occupation and COVID-19 related stress in a sample of women. The study used cross-sectional survey design. The sample consisted of 50 women (25 employed and 25 self-employed) in Eldoret East. Respondents were sampled using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a twelve item questionnaire and analysed using mean scores and standard deviations. H ₀₁ was tested using chi-square test, H ₀₂ tested using ANOVA and H ₀₃ tested using t-test for independent groups. The results indicated that the majority of women in Kimumu Ward had stress and anxiety that ranged from mild to moderate levels. Most women in Kimumu Ward were stressed by the following: health, workload, surroundings, time, public transport, managing children, failing to pay debt, communicating and relating to their husbands, and communicating and relating with neighbours. H ₀₁ , H ₀₂ , and H ₀₃ were rejected.