Intimate partner violence (IPV), alcohol use and limitations on sexual and reproductive autonomy are interrelated public health issues in Uganda that disproportionately burden women. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda instituted a national lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. While protective in this regard, such measures can also have the potential to exacerbate other health outcomes, including mental health outcomes, IPV, substance use, and reproductive coercion. Limited data exist regarding the impact of public health crises on these outcomes. Future global pandemics are an inevitability. The present study explores the impact of COVID-19 and the associated preventative lockdown measures on women’s experiences of IPV, alcohol use, anxiety, depression, reproductive coercion, access to family planning and coping abilities. The present study suggests areas for additional work to prepare for the next global event. Our findings suggest that development of programming and policies aimed at mitigating the negative impact of lockdowns on women’s safety and reproductive rights are needed.

• Examine the effects of COVID-19 on experiences of IPV, mental health (anxiety and depression), self-efficacy and coping mechanisms, including the use of alcohol, among women.
• Assess impact of COVID-19 on women’s experiences of anxiety and depression, self-efficacy and use of coping mechanisms (including alcohol consumption), by exposure to IPV.
• Examine the effects of COVID-19 on women’s family planning and experiences of reproductive coercion.
• Examine the effects of COVID-19 among women at the household and community level.

 

Household and Community Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hoima and Wakiso Districts in Uganda

Coping and Mental Health

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on women’s alcohol use, mental health, and experiences of intimate partner violence in Wakiso, Uganda
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0263827

Re-emphasizing the gendered impacts of COVID-19: A round-up of evidence from seven countries
https://www.genderandcovid-19.org/editorial/re-emphasizing-the-gendered-impacts-of-covid-19-a-round-up-of-evidence-from-seven-countries/