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There is a lack of detailed information on the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of gambling disorder (GD) in Nigeria, a country that has the second-largest online sports gaming market in Africa. The objective of this review article was to emphasize the need for a nationwide epidemiological study on the GD caused by compulsive sports betting in Nigeria. The literature searches were carried out using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases regarding articles concerning sports betting, problem gambling, GD, and mental health in Nigeria using the following medical subject headings: Pathological Gambling AND Gamblings AND Federal Republic of Nigeria AND Social Epidemiology. A nationwide surveillance is necessary to determine the epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention and treatment measures for GD in Nigeria. To prevent negative public health consequences, sports gambling activities in Nigeria should be restricted and controlled. There is a need to set aside strict measures to control both legal and illegal online and offline sports betting activities in Nigeria. Moreover, the implementation of an effective mental health-care delivery policy to tackle gambling addiction and associated psychiatric comorbidities in Nigeria will enable efficient diagnosis and treatment of individuals with GD and improve relapse prevention. A well-funded and functional mental health-care system and research framework will facilitate effective mental health-care delivery among individuals at risk of GD and patients with GD in Nigeria. Expanding access to and use of mental health treatment services could substantially reduce the prevalence of GD and associated comorbidities in Nigeria.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a significant negative impact on emotions and feelings of loneliness in terms of lack of companionship, social isolation, and connections in older adults. Compulsive loneliness can negatively alter cognition, mental, and physical health and lifespan in the elderly. Isolation and restricted social interaction in the time of COVID-19 pandemic was clearly connected with the symptoms of mood and behavioral disorders in older adults. The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the impact of loneliness caused by the public health social isolation measures aimed to curtail the prevalence of COVID-19 on the physical and mental health in older adults. Articles regarding the effect of loneliness caused by the public health social isolation measures aimed to curtail the prevalence of COVID-19 on the physical and mental health of older adults were searched on PubMed electronic database. Relevant articles were selected; full-text articles were assessed; and significant evidence were extracted. To avoid the negative impact of social isolation on older adults during the era of COVID-19, it is essential to involve older adults in the activities such as physical activity, playing games with their peers, and sightseeing.