Unintended socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 among slum dwellers in Kampala, Uganda

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.

Impact of Drug Pressure versus Limited Access to Drug in Malaria Control: The Dilemma

Malaria burden has severe impact on the world. Several arsenals, including the use of antimalarials, are in place to curb the malaria burden. However, the application of these antimalarials has two extremes, limited access to drug and drug pressure, which may have similar impact on malaria control, leading to treatment failure through divergent mechanisms. Limited access to drugs ensures that patients do not get the right doses of the antimalarials in order to have an effective plasma concentration to kill the malaria parasites, which leads to treatment failure and overall reduction in malaria control via increased transmission rate. On the other hand, drug pressure can lead to the selection of drug resistance phenotypes in a subpopulation of the malaria parasites as they mutate in order to adapt. This also leads to a reduction in malaria control. Addressing these extremes in antimalarial application can be essential in maintaining the relevance of the conventional antimalarials in winning the war against malaria.

ADOLESCENTS SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS ISSUES IN RURAL ZIMBABWE

This study was aimed at examining the knowledge and perceptions of adolescents on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) rural Zimbabwe. Adolescents in Zimbabwe faces limited access to health information and services. Different factors like poverty, gender inequality, socio-cultural and economic status play a crucial role in determining adolescent’s access to ASRH knowledge. Qualitative research methodology was used in the study. Data was gathered through key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The culture of communicating ASRH problems with parents was non-existent in most cases save for girls who indicated that they got information from their mothers during menstruation periods. Adolescents indicated that they had limited access to ASRH services available in their community. They further indicated that they were not utilising these services for various reasons such as social stigma, lack of information, poor quality service and the negative attitude displayed by some nurses and counsellors at the nearest health centre.

Families of Deaf Children With Co-Occurring Disabilities

The authors of this chapter focus on immigrant families who have deaf children with co-occurring disabilities. The journey is filled with understanding deafness, co-occurring disabilities, resources, cultural impact, communication and amplification options, and navigating the American education system. The chapter covers a range of information for professionals and families to understand what families with deaf children with co-occurring disabilities face and the continuous decisions that must be made and implemented while having limited access to support due mainly to language barriers and cultural understand. The chapter covers from the time the deaf child with co-occurring disabilities is identified and the multiple layers to understanding the path the family takes, knowing each one is as unique as the child.

Lithuanian Dramaturgy and Its “Crises”

The cultural shift that has been taking place over the thirty years since Lithuania regained its independence is bound up with the role of a rapidly changing – in terms of both stage and text – theatre. These changes were mostly expressed through rhetorical formulations of a discourse of “crisis”. It is no exception that this word has been used as a usual descriptor of the state of Lithuanian dramaturgy. Through a discussion of the differing aspects of the relationships between the defenders of the logos theatre and the proponents of stage praxis, this article argues that during the transitionary period that changed Lithuania’s history, and which also supplied the concept of “crisis”, the world of Lithuanian theatre, afflicted with constant perturbations, revealed itself. The multifariousness of “crisis” is also elucidated: at the start of the period of independence the term was used to describe the vacuum problem of Lithuanian drama, after ten years – the lack of current relevant plays, today – the limited access to contemporary dramaturgical texts. The conclusion is thereby drawn, that the dissemination of dramatic texts is not only a prerequisite of lessening the long-lived tensions between text and stage authors, but also of deeper studies of the development of contemporary Lithuanian dramaturgy.

Spatial Distribution Analysis of Community Radio Stations For Promoting Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Agriculture Under COVID-19 Scenario, Southern Province, Zambia

Community Radio Stations (CRS) play an important role in information dissemination at local and context specific levels. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of the CRS and their role in promoting sustainable in agriculture in times of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The study's methodological approach included geospatial mapping of CRS in Arc GIS 10.3, surveys and interviews with key informants (n=39). In addition, the data was analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for frequency and descriptive analysis and excel for graphical outputs. The study finds 19 CRS in 13 districts and their radii completely cover the Southern Province of Zambia. Out of the time allocated to agricultural programs, an average of 47% is on climate change adaptation measures in local languages. However, the CRS have limited access to experts to provide information and programs sponsorship. This study has established that CRS have potential in disseminating climate change adaptation measures. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the CRS noticed an increase in demand for agricultural programs during the COVID-19 era, with the rapid growth of CRS. The study recommends stakeholders collaboration to provide appropriate information to enhance the climate agricultural programmes on CRS and address challenges of limited access to experts and associated costs.

Small-scale Farming and Access to Market: Challenges and Opportunities in South Africa

The paper has aimed to explore the effectiveness of small-scale farmers in improving household income and food security, particularly looking at the barriers to market access in rural areas. This study was undertaken in rural areas of Kanyamazane, Clau-Clau and Nyongane, South Africa, where small-scale producers depend on low-risk and low-return markets to generate household income from production, thus ensuring food security. To achieve the aim of this study, a qualitative approach was used to provide in-depth interpretation of the perspectives, experiences, and behavioural patterns of the small-scale farmers faced with market related issues. Small-scale farmers, agricultural extension officers, and municipal officials were purposefully selected to share their views, perceptions, and experiences on the effectiveness in accessing markets. The findings revealed that there was limited access to formal markets by small-scale farmers because of limited knowledge and capacity to meet market requirements. The study confirmed that a lack of marketing skills, institutional support services, and limited access to arable land, have directly negative effects on achieving livelihood outcomes. This study recommends a sustainable crop production method which reduces the costs of farming resources, such as pesticide and fertilizer, through organic methods to ensure food safety and enhanced nutrient quality. This study further encourages inclusive rural development, where small-scale producers are treated as stakeholders in agricultural policy formulation to enable access to financial resources and increase in production through the formation of cooperatives.