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Association between recent COVID-19 diagnosis, depression and anxiety symptoms among slum residents in Kampala, Uganda.
Wafula, Solomon T; Ninsiima, Lesley L; Mendoza, Hilbert; Ssempebwa, John C; Walter, Florian; Musoke, David.
  • Wafula ST; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Ninsiima LL; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Mendoza H; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Ssempebwa JC; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Walter F; Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
  • Musoke D; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
PLoS One ; 18(5): e0280338, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2320247
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Despite the known link between poor living conditions and mental health, there has been little research on the mental health of slum dwellers worldwide. Although the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an increase in mental health issues, little focus has been given to the impact on slum dwellers. The study aimed to investigate the association between recent COVID-19 diagnosis and the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms among people living in an urban slum in Uganda.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 284 adults (at least 18 years of age) in a slum settlement in Kampala, Uganda between April and May 2022. We assessed depression symptoms and anxiety using validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment tool (GAD-7) questionnaires respectively. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, and self-reported recent COVID-19 diagnosis (in the previous 30 days). Using a modified Poisson regression, adjusted for age, sex, gender and household income, we separately provided prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between recent COVID-19 diagnosis and depressive and anxiety symptoms.

RESULTS:

Overall, 33.8% and 13.4% of the participants met the depression and generalized anxiety screening criteria respectively and 11.3% were reportedly diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 30 days. People with recent COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to be depressed (53.1%) than those with no recent diagnosis (31.4%) (p<0.001). Participants who were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 reported higher prevalence of anxiety (34.4%) compared to those with no recent diagnosis of COVID-19 (10.7%) (p = 0.014). After adjusting for confounding, recent diagnosis with COVID-19 was associated with depression (PR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.09-2.34) and anxiety (PR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.50-5.31).

CONCLUSION:

This study suggests an increased risk of depressive symptoms and GAD in adults following a COVID-19 diagnosis. We recommend additional mental health support for recently diagnosed persons. The long-term of COVID-19 on mental health effects also need to be investigated.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0280338

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0280338