Browsing by Author "Usman, Ibe Michael"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    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, Susan
    Low-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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Covid-19 Pandemic and Behavioural Response to Self-Medication Practice in Western Uganda
    (medRxiv, 2021) Dare, Samuel S.; Eze, Ejike Daniel; Isaac, Echoru; Usman, Ibe Michael; Ssempijja, Fred; Bukenya, Edmund Eriya; Ssebuufu, Robinson
    Self-medication has become is a serious public health problem globally posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease in Uganda. This is may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the prevalence and nature differ from country to country which may influence human behavioural responses. Aim This study aimed to investigated the beharioural response of the community towards selfmedication practices during this COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Methods A cross sectional household and online survey was conducted during the months of June-to- August. The study was conducted among adult between age 18 above in communities of western Uganda who consented to participate in the study. Study participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and a printed copies questionnaire made available to other participants that did not use the online questionnaire Results The percentage of respondents that know about self-medication is (97%) and those that practice self-medication are approximately (88%). 97% of respondents have heard about self-medication either through health workers, media, family members, friends and/or school while 3% said they have not heard about self-medication. The percentage of respondents who practiced selfmedication during COVID-19 pandemic is 57% while those that did not is 43%. There is statistically difference in the number of those that practice self-medication and those that do not p < 0.005 at 95% confidence interval. Also there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of respondents that practice self-medication during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compare to the practice before the pandemic lockdown p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Conclusion Our investigation showed adequate knowledge of self-medication and high level of selfmedication practice with a decrease in self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the lockdown.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Religion Influences Community Adherence to COVID-19 Guidelines in Uganda
    (Research Square, 2020) Echoru, Isaac; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Usman, Ibe Michael; Ssempijja, Fred; Tiyo Ayikobua, Emmanuel; Mujinya, Regan; Ajambo, Patricia Decanar; Matama, Kevin; Monima Lemuel, Ann; Ayuba Tabakwot, John; Ojodale Aruwa, Joshua; Simidi Kegoye, Eric; Olatayo Segun, Okeniran; Adeoye, Azeez; Bassey Archibong, Victor; Nankya, Viola; Edoho Henry, Suzann; Onongha, Comfort; Christina Welburn, Susan
    Success of public health government programs depends on effective partnerships between religious institutions, policy makers and medical professionals. Directives from the World Health Organization (WHO) against social gatherings to control COVID-19 transmission have negatively impacted religiouspolitical partnerships. Compliance of rural communities to national lockdowns requires support from community faith leaders. Across the African sub-continent faith plays an important role within communities that display diverse religious practice. Specific guidelines to prevent community transmission and spread of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) are however, scarce, complicating adherence to best practice as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). During the Ebola epidemic in Africa, faith groups played a crucial role in spreading information from the WHO to control community disease transmissions. Methods Here we examined knowledge, attitudes and practices for COVID-19 among market vendors, of faith, in South-Western Uganda. A cross sectional study was undertaken among rural market vendors (n=248) in southwestern Uganda was undertaken using an online questionnaire. Results Most moslems (72%) and protestants (70%) were aware that COVID-19 could present symptomatically and the challenges for control of COVID-19 in Uganda. Definitive knowledge of COVID-19 transmission dynamics was most prevalent among individuals of Protestant faith (70%). Most moslems (66%) interviewed found it difficult to comply with public health measures (lockdowns and self-isolation) while most pentecostals (64%) considered wearing as face mask to be impractical. Such discrepancies within a tight knit community and religious groupings in relation to practice shows a need to strengthen and revise policy for the national implementation of COVID-19 guidelines. Conclusion Engagement from religious leaders to encourage their followers to abide to COVID-19 guidelines would facilitate Africa’s COVID-19 response to become more effective addressing key areas of non-compliance that undermine control e.g. a majority of Pentecostal Christians are hesitant to be associated with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    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 Christina
    The 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.