Browsing by Author "MacLeod, Ewan"
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Item Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown(Frontiers in public health, 2021) Archibong, Victor; Usman, Ibe Michael; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Osamudiamwen Aigbogun, Eric; Josiah, Ifie; Monima, Ann Lemuel; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Chekwech, Gaudencia; Dominic Terkimbi, Swase; Owoisinke, Okon; Mbiydzenyuy, Ngala Elvis; Adeoye, Azeez; Ojodale Aruwa, Joshua; Moyosore Afodun, Adam; Odoma, Saidi; Ssempijja, Fred; Tiyo Ayikobua, Emmanuel; Tabakwot Ayuba, John; Nankya, Viola; Onongha, Comfort; Henry, Sussan; Matama, Kevin; Yusuf, Helen; Nalugo, Halima; MacLeod, Ewan; Christina Welburn, SusanLow-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents. Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed by moderate depression (60.5%) and moderate anger (56.9%) were the most common mental health challenges experienced by low-income earners in Bushenyi district. Awareness of mental healthcare increased with the age of respondents in both males and females. A linear relationship was observed with age and depression (r = 0.154, P = 0.014) while positive correlations were observed between anxiety and anger (r = 0.254, P < 0.001); anxiety and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015) and anger and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The study shows the importance of mental health awareness in low resource settings during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Females were identified as persons at risk to mental depression, while anger was highest amongst young males.Item Embracing One Health offers practical strategies in management of COVID-19 for Africa(The Pan African Medical Journal, 2020) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Mujinya, Regan; Bogere, Paul; Ekou, Justine; Zirintunda, Gerald; Ahimbisibwe, Salaviriuse; Matama, Kevin; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Ssimbwa, Godfrey; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Muyinda, Robert; Ssempijja, Fred; Matovu, Henry; MacLeod, Ewan; Anderson, Neil Euan; Welburn, Susan ChristinaThe coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak has now affected over 60% of African countries in less than two months , gaining a foothold through major economic and transport hubs on the African continent including Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. Travel restrictions imposed against citizens from countries with major outbreaks including China, USA and those in Europe were too late . African Union member states as of early April 2020 are reporting 6,470 cases and 241 deaths from COVID-19 reporting growth as “close to exponential”. Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges the virus is an existential threat to African countries and that with local transmission now underway many would pass the 10,000-infection mark by the end of April. While the impact of wearing of face masks for control of COVID-19 remains controversial, it is inarguable that respiratory transmission needs to be prevented. Currently, there is a global shortage of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) and distribution is being rationed in developed countries to retain this for workers in the health system, showing that developing countries in Africa are bound to suffer more should the pandemic be mismanaged at these early stages. In addition, health systems in developing countries, already crippled from years of underinvestment will be compromised unless practical and realistic prevention strategies are put in place. China, Italy, France, UK and USA, all with sophisticated health systems, have found COVID-19 challenging. Infection is increasing across the African subcontinent and health systems will struggle as the pandemic sweeps into and across Africa.Item Misconceptions on COVID-19 Risk Among Ugandan Men: Results From a Rapid Exploratory Survey, April 2020(Frontiers in public health, 2020) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; MacLeod, Ewan; Ssempijja, Fred; Mahero, Michael W.; Matama, Kevin; Musoke, Grace Henry; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Wakoko-Studstil, Florence; Echoru, Isaac; Mujinya, Regan; Nambuya, Grace; Zirintunda, Gerald; Welbur, Susan ChristinaTransmission of COVID-19 in developing countries is expected to surpass that in developed countries; however, information on community perceptions of this new disease is scarce. The aim of the study was to identify possible misconceptions among males and females toward COVID-19 in Uganda using a rapid online survey distributed via social media. A cross-sectional survey carried out in early April 2020 was conducted with 161 Ugandans, who purposively participated in the online questionnaire that assessed understandings of COVID-19 risk and infection. Sixty-four percent of respondents were male and 36% were female. We found significant divergences of opinion on gendered susceptibility to COVID-19. Most female respondents considered infection risk, symptoms, severe signs, and death to be equally distributed between genders. In contrast, male respondents believed they were more at risk of infection, severe symptoms, severe signs, and death (52.7 vs. 30.6%, RR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.14–2.8). Most women did not share this perception and disagreed that males were at higher risk of infection (by a factor of three), symptoms (79% disagree), severe signs (71%, disagree), and death (70.2% disagree). Overall, most respondents considered children less vulnerable (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.55–2.2) to COVID-19 than adults, that children present with less symptoms (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 0.77–3.19), and that there would be less mortality in children (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.41–1.88). Of female respondents, 76.4% considered mortality from COVID-19 to be different between the young and the elderly (RR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.01–2.92) and 92.7% believed young adults would show fewer signs than the elderly, and 71.4% agreed that elderly COVID-19 patients would show more severe signs than the young (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4, 4.8). While respondents considered that all races were susceptible to the signs and symptoms of infection as well as death from COVID-19, they considered mortality would be highest among white people from Europe and the USA. Some respondents (mostly male 33/102, 32.4%) considered COVID-19 to be a “disease of whites” (30.2%).The WHO has identified women and children in rural communities as vulnerable persons who should be given more attention in the COVID-19 national response programs across Africa; however, our study has found that men in Uganda perceive themselves to be at greater risk and that these contradictory perceptions (including the association of COVID-19 with “the white” race) suggest an important discrepancy in the communication of who is most vulnerable and why. Further research is urgently needed to validate and expand the results of this small exploratory study.Item University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education about SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda(Health services insights, 2020) Echoru, Isaac; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Usman, Ibe Michael; Mutuku, Irene Mukenya; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Ajambo, Patricia Decanar; Ssempijja, Fred; Mujinya, Regan; Matama, Kevin; Musoke, Grace Henry; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Dare, Samuel Sunday; Eze, Ejike Daniel; Bukenya, Edmund Eriya; Nambatya, Grace Keyune; MacLeod, Ewan; Welburn, Susan ChristinaThe World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19.This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 103 lecturers and students both men and women of age group 18 to 69 years in western Uganda. Data were obtained through a pretested questionnaire availed online.Knowledge on COVID-19 symptoms was highest in this order: fever > dry cough > difficulty breathing > fatigue > headache with no significant differences between lecturers and students. Knowledge of participants on transmission of COVID-19 was highest in the order of cough drops > contaminated surfaces > person-to-person contact > asymptomatic persons > airborne > zoonotic with no significant differences among lecturers and students. Lecturers and students were all willing to continue using personal protective equipment like masks, and personal practices such as covering the mouth while sneezing and coughing, no handshaking, and washing of hands with no significant differences in the responses. The positive attitudes that COVID-19 could kill, anyone can get COVID-19, and willing to abide by the set regulations against the pandemic showed personal concerns and desired efforts against COVID-19.The study identifies lecturers and students as potential stakeholders in the fight against community transmission of COVID-19.