Association of COVID-19-related perceptions and experiences with depression and anxiety in Ugandan caregivers of young children with malaria and iron deficiency: A cross-sectional study
| dc.contributor.author | Park, Saeun | |
| dc.contributor.author | Bangirana, Paul | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mupere, Ezekiel | |
| dc.contributor.author | Baluku, Reagan I | |
| dc.contributor.author | Helgeson, Erika S | |
| dc.contributor.author | Cusick, Sarah E | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-12-16T07:51:35Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-12-16T07:51:35Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-12-10 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Caregivers of young children may have been particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its negative impacts on their housing, finances, and childcare demands. This study explored the associations between COVID-19-related experiences and symptoms of depression and anxiety among Ugandan caregivers. This cross-sectional study included 100 Ugandan caregivers of young children aged 6-59 months with uncomplicated malaria and iron deficiency (N = 85) and without malaria or anemia (N = 15) who were enrolled in the Optimizing Iron Status in Malaria-Endemic Areas (OptiM) study. Sociodemographic data and COVID-19 experiences were collected using an internally developed survey and symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD-20) scale. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the associations between COVID-19 survey scores with HSCL-25 or CESD-20 scores. Nearly half of caregivers reported clinically meaningful symptoms of depression (46%) and/or anxiety (49%). Caregivers had more severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety if they experienced greater changes in living situations or decreases in physical activity (CESD-20: [beta] = 3.35, 95% CI [1.00, 5.70], p = .01), food insecurity (HSCL-25: [beta] = 3.25, 95% CI [0.41, 6.10], p = .03, CESD-25: [beta] = 3.09, 95% CI [0.79, 5.39], p = .01), and domestic violence (HSCL-25: [beta] = 3.82, 95% CI [0.94, 6.70], p = .01) during COVID-19. These associations did not vary depending on whether the caregivers had children with malaria. Negative COVID-19 experiences were significantly associated with more severe depression and anxiety in Ugandan caregivers, regardless of their children's malaria status. Urgent attention and action are needed to support the mental well-being of this vulnerable population. Further prospective studies should investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 on caregivers and their children. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | This work was supported by research funds provided by NIH/NICHD grant # 5R01HD092391 (SEC), a University of Minnesota Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility Scholar Award (SP), and a University of Minnesota School of Public Health Hawley Award (SP). the funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Park, Saeun, Paul Bangirana, Ezekiel Mupere, et al. 'Association of COVID-19-Related Perceptions and Experiences with Depression and Anxiety in Ugandan Caregivers of Young Children with Malaria and Iron Deficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study', PloS One, vol. 19/no. 12, (2024), pp. e0314409. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | ISSN 1932-6203 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | EISSN 1932-6203 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/9727 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Public Library of Science | |
| dc.title | Association of COVID-19-related perceptions and experiences with depression and anxiety in Ugandan caregivers of young children with malaria and iron deficiency: A cross-sectional study | |
| dc.type | Article |