Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in public health
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19 response in Africa, Socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, COVID-19 outcomes, Psychosocial impacts of COVID-19, Hunger and COVID-19, COVID-19 hits poor harder, Women dangers in COVID-19
Citation
Archibong V, Usman IM, Kasozi KI, Aigbogun EO Jr, Josiah I, Monima AL, Ssebuufu R, Chekwech G, Terkimbi SD, Owoisinke O, Mbiydzenyuy NE, Adeoye A, Aruwa JO, Afodun AM, Odoma S, Ssempijja F, Ayikobua ET, Ayuba JT, Nankya V, Onongha C, Henry S, Matama K, Yusuf H, Nalugo H, MacLeod E and Welburn SC (2021) Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown. Front. Public Health 9:590458. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.590458