Effects of covid-19 lockdown on the well-being of adolescents In masindi municipal council, central division

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures significantly impacted socially and economically on the well-being of adolescents globally, nationally and locally. In Uganda and specifically in Masindi Municipal Council (MMC), there was increased rates of anxiety, depression, and stress among adolescents due to restricted social interactions and uncertainties. This necessitated a study which aimed at exploring the effects of covid19 lockdown on the well-being of adolescents in MMC, Masindi District. Methodology: A cross sectional study design with quantitative methods of data collection and analysis was used. A sample size of 384 respondents used, selected by simple random sampling. Data collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by cross- tabulation between variables using SPSS version 26 data analysis software, at three steps; univariate, bivariate and multivariate. Results: Out of the 384 adolescents majority 256 (67%) had poor living while the minority 128 (33%) had good wellbeing during Covid-19 lockdown. Demographic characteristics associated with wellbeing included; being a female adolescent (AOR: 0.25, P=0.002), residing in rural areas (AOR: 2.6, P=0.039), being part-time worker (AOR: 0.23, P=0.024) and unemployed (AOR: 0.04, P=0.001). Social effects included; unawareness of adolescent early marriages (AOR: 5.2, P=0.041), having recreational opportunities (AOR: 4.0, P=0.015), parental inaccessibility to work (AOR: 0.06, P=0.001), insufficient food (AOR: 8.4, P=0.001). Inaccessible medical care services (AOR: 5.99, P=0.001), lack coping mechanism support to social effects of COVID-19 lockdown (AOR: 9.08, P=0.001). Economic effects included; family experienced constant income (AOR: 9.6, P=0.001), adolescents who received less economic support (AOR: 78.8, P=0.001) and who felt economically insecure (AOR: 2.9, P=0.031). Conclusion: Due to social and economic effects of covid19 lockdown, majority of adolescents wellbeing were compromised. Recommendations: Government should strengthen strategic framework for Emergency Preparedness for appropriate, timely and effective response to adolescents wellbeing especially in lockdowns.