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Unintended socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 among slum dwellers in Kampala, Uganda.
Nuwematsiko, Rebecca; Nabiryo, Maxencia; Bomboka, John Bosco; Nalinya, Sarah; Musoke, David; Okello, Daniel; Wanyenze, Rhoda K.
  • Nuwematsiko R; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. rnuwematsiko@musph.ac.ug.
  • Nabiryo M; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Bomboka JB; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Nalinya S; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Musoke D; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Okello D; Kampala Capital City Authority, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Wanyenze RK; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
BMC Public Health ; 22(1): 88, 2022 01 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1736371
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, several countries in Africa instituted countrywide lockdowns and other public health measures. Whereas lockdowns contributed to the control of the pandemic, there were concerns about the unintended consequences of these measures especially in the most vulnerable populations. We assessed unintended socio-economic and health consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures among slum dwellers in Kampala to inform the on-going and future pandemic response strategies.

METHODS:

This was a mixed methods cross-sectional study conducted in Bwaise I and Bwaise III slums of Kawempe division, Kampala Uganda from October to December 2020. We used systematic sampling to randomly select 425 household heads for the face-to-face quantitative interviews. We also conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) with slum dwellers and used photovoice among eight Community Health Workers (CHWs) to document unintended socio-economic and health consequences. Quantitative data were imported into STATA version 14.0 for analysis, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo version 12. Modified Poisson regression analysis was conducted to establish factors associated with impact on access to food.

RESULTS:

Most respondents reported limited access to food (71.1%; 302/425); disruption in education (77.1%; 270/350); drop in daily income and wages (86.1%; 329/382) and loss of employment (63.1; 125/198). Twenty five percent of the respondents (25.4%; 86/338) reported domestic violence as one of the challenges. Seven themes emerged from the qualitative findings on the impact of COVID-19 including limited access to food; negative impact on children's rights (child labour and teenage pregnancies) and education; poor housing and lack of accommodation; negative social behaviours; negative impact on family and child care; reduced income and employment; and negative impact on health and access to health care services.

CONCLUSION:

The slum dwellers of Bwaise I and Bwaise III experienced several negative socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 and its prevention measures that severely affected their wellbeing. Children experienced severe consequences such as child labour and teenage pregnancies among the girls. Response activities should be contextualised to different settings and protocols to protect the vulnerable groups in the community such as children and women should be developed and mainstreamed in response activities.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Poverty Areas / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Limits: Adolescent / Female / Humans / Pregnancy Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-021-12453-6

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Poverty Areas / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Limits: Adolescent / Female / Humans / Pregnancy Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-021-12453-6