Mental health, coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours among women petty traders in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey

In Nigeria, women petty traders often face significant socio-economic stressors that potentially affect their mental health. Despite these challenges, mental health remains under-researched in informal economic sectors in developing countries. Therefore, this study examined the mental health status, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviours of women petty traders in Nsukka, Enugu State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 331 women petty traders at Ogige Market in Nsukka. Respondents were recruited through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires, including a Patient Health questionnaire, a Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, a Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory, and a General Help-seeking Questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. A total of 331 women participated in the survey. The prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety and depression was 22.9% and 27.4%, respectively, with most women utilizing emotion-focused coping strategies (29.35 ± 7.29). Additionally, the level of anxiety had a weak positive relationship with emotion-focused coping ( r = 0.144, p = 0.008) and avoidant coping ( r = 0.294, p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation exists between the level of depression and avoidant coping ( r = 0.307, p < 0.001). More than half of the respondents had the intention to seek help from intimate partners ( n = 203, 61.3%), parents ( n = 211, 63.7%), and family members ( n = 182, 55.0%). More than half of the respondents were unlikely to seek help from mental health professionals ( n = 186, 56.2%) and phone helplines ( n = 197, 59.5%). A considerable proportion of women petty traders had moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The women were more inclined to seek emotional support from informal close social networks. The findings underscore the need to strengthen mental health support systems and promote accessible, socio-culturally and economically sensitive interventions that encourage the use of adaptive coping strategies and professional help among women petty traders.