This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
On July 12, a survey co-sponsored by the Canadian High Commission and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (Kenya) reported a decline in anxiety related to COVID-19 within Nairobi's informal settlements, with 54% of respondents expressing worry, down from 71% in April.
The survey, conducted by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA), involved 579 respondents from low-income areas of Nairobi, including Huruma, Kibera, Mathare, Korogocho, Mukuru kwa Njenga, and Kawangware.
According to the survey, women and younger people were the most anxious group, representing 62% and 57% respectively. In contrast, 26% of men said they were not worried at all, compared to 16% among female respondents.
Respondents who cited being very worried reported taking precautions, such as wearing masks (80%), frequently washing hands (76%), avoiding handshakes (52%), using sanitizers (48%), and staying at home as much as possible (20%).
“Respondents are clearly less concerned about the medical risks stemming from the Covid-19 virus than they were at the end of April when Round One was conducted,” TIFA noted.
