Author(s)

Steward Mudenda^1*, Maisa Kasanga², Scott Kaba Matafwali³, Roland Nnaemeka Okoro⁴, Ruth Lindizyani Mfune⁵, Tina Haanyanga¹, Matildah Nyoni¹, Annie Mumba¹, Godfrey Mayoka⁶, Victor Daka⁵, Christabel Nang’andu Hikaambo¹, Webrod Mufwambi¹, Shafiq Mohamed⁷, Billy Chabalenge⁸

¹Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
²Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
³Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
⁴Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
⁵Department of Public Health, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia.
⁶School of Pharmacy, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁷Medicines Management and Pharmacy Services, St. James University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
⁸Department of Medicines Control, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, Lusaka, Zambia.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic inflicted unprecedented work-related strain, negatively impacting the mental health of many, including teachers. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of secondary school teachers in Lusaka, Zambia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 388 teachers in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district, Zambia, from July 2022 to September 2022. Data were collected using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and analysed using IBM SPSS version 28.0. Statistical significance was determined at a 95% confidence level. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors that influenced anxiety and depression levels among teachers. Results: Among the 388 teachers, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 72% and 73%, respectively. Factors associated with anxiety were; being quarantined due to COVID-19 (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.11 - 3.45), having a chronic condition (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.19 - 5.05), having a friend or relative with COVID-19 (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.08 - 2.99) and experiencing death of either a friend or relative (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.48 - 3.76). Factors associated with depression included; having a friend or relative with COVID-19 (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.38 - 5.00), experiencing the death of either a friend or relative (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.16 -3 .54) and suffering income disruptions due to COVID-19 (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02 - 2.66). Conclusions: This study found that anxiety and depression were highly prevalent, especially among teachers with predisposing factors. These findings demonstrate the need to develop and implement strategies to tackle mental health challenges among teachers, especially during pandemic periods.

COVID-19, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Secondary Schools, Teachers, Zambia

Mudenda, S. , Kasanga, M. , Matafwali, S. , Okoro, R. , Mfune, R. , Haanyanga, T. , Nyoni, M. , Mumba, A. , Mayoka, G. , Daka, V. , Hikaambo, C. , Mufwambi, W. , Mohamed, S. and Chabalenge, B. (2024) Anxiety, Depression, and Associated Factors among Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Centre Cross-Sectional Study in Zambia. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-19. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1111294.