ORIGINAL A Social Media Survey on the Prevalence of Post-COVID Neurologic Complications Among Nigerians

West Afr J Med. 2025 January; 42 (1): 29-35 PMID: 40544471

Authors

  • I E Akase Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • S O Awodumila Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria
  • C E Nwanmah Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • O O Ojo Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria
  • O P Agabi Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • O Ede Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • F O Nwaokorie Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • R A Anyanwu Central Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • P S Ghajiga Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • O Kalejaiye Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. Email: iakase@unilag.edu.ng; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • G S Perez-Giraldo Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • Z S Orban Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • M Jimenez Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • I J Koralnik Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • N U Okubadejo Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria;  Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Keywords:

COVID, Long COVID, Neurological sequelae, Nigeria, SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Background and objective: Cultural barriers and perceptual factors that are peculiar among Africans are known to limit the number of people seeking medical care for post-COVID conditions. The aim of this social media survey was to ascertain the burden of post-COVID neurologic complications in Nigeria in individuals with confirmed COVID-19.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional web-based survey of persons with PCR-confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection in Nigeria with incident infection between March 2020 and April 2022. Our survey utilized Kobo Toolbox® and was disseminated via several online platforms (including WhatsApp ®, Facebook®, and Twitter (X)®). Participant demographics, COVID-19 symptom profile, SARS-CoV-2 test results, and the occurrence of persistent neurological symptoms were documented.

Results: We analyzed the data of 963 participants with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. The mean age was 36.9 ± 9.9 years, and 555/963 (57.6%) were female. Only 174/963 individuals (18.1%) had SARS-CoV-2 PCR confirmation at any point during the pandemic, of which 133 (76.4%) had accompanying symptoms consistent with the case definition. A total of 47/174 (27.0%) of the PCR-positive participants reported post-acute COVID symptoms, and 46/174 (26.4%) had post-COVID neurologic complaints. The most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (25; 14.4%), generalized body weakness (22; 12.6%), and difficulty remembering things (15; 8.6%). Slightly over half of those with post-COVID symptoms (25/47; 53.2%) sought care, with 21/25 (84%) presenting to a medical facility. Others presented either to a community pharmacy (1/25) or a patent medicine store (3/25) for care.

Conclusion: Despite low testing rates in Nigeria, the prevalence of post-COVID neurologic complications is approximately 1 in 4 individuals. Further studies on the prognosis and management of post-COVID neurologic sequelae in Nigeria are warranted.

Author Biographies

I E Akase , Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

  1. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. Email: iakase@unilag.edu.ng.
  2. Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

S O Awodumila, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

C E Nwanmah, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

O O Ojo , Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. 

Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

O P Agabi, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. 

Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

O Ede , Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

F O Nwaokorie, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

R A Anyanwu, Central Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Central Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

P S Ghajiga , Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

O Kalejaiye, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. Email: iakase@unilag.edu.ng; Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. Email: iakase@unilag.edu.ng.

Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

G S Perez-Giraldo, Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Z S Orban , Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

M Jimenez, Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

I J Koralnik, Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

N U Okubadejo, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria;  Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria. 

Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

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Published

2025-09-20

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 1 (2025): The West Africa Journal of Medicine

Section

Articles