Economic vulnerabilities, mental health, and coping strategies among Tanzanian youth during COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated struggles for youth living in poor households. Youth in rural Tanzania are particularly vulnerable given widespread poverty, lack of formal sector employment opportunities, and health risks. We examine influences of the pandemic on economic insecurity and mental health and explore the coping strategies employed by youth and their households.

Methods

We conducted mixed-method data collection with youth (N = 760 quantitative and N = 44 qualitative interviews) and households (n = 542) via mobile phone among a sub-set of a cohort from an on-going longitudinal sample in two rural regions in Tanzania. In addition to phone interviews, we collected data bi-weekly via SMS messaging. We present mixed-methods, descriptive analysis of the

SUBMITTER: Zuilkowski SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10885560 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature