ABSTRACT
Background: The unprecedented spread of COVID-19 presents a serious public health concern. However, uptake of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate current uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures and their associated factors in Wakiso, Uganda. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wakiso, Uganda from April to September 2020. A total of 1,014 study subjects aged 13-80 years in the population health survey (PHS) who self-reported following any of the COVID-19 preventive behavioral strategies during lockdown was selected. The dependent variable was COVID-19 preventive measures. Independent variables were gender, age, education, marital status, religion, occupation. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed using Modified Poisson regression test.
ABSTRACT
Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for people living with HIV are poorly understood, especially in low-income settings. We conducted qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews among people living with HIV (n = 16) and health workers (n = 10) in rural Rakai, southcentral Uganda. Data were analyzed thematically. We found mental stress during COVID-19 was compounded by worry about antiretroviral therapy (ART) access, distress over inadvertent disclosure of HIV status, fear that coronavirus infection would have more severe outcomes for immunocompromised individuals, and exacerbated poverty and economic stress. Mental health support for people living with HIV deserves greater attention during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.