Association between recent COVID-19 diagnosis on depression and anxiety symptoms among slum residents in Kampala, Uganda

Background An increase in mental health problems has been reported since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders, and how recent COVID-19 diagnosis may influence risk of these conditions especially in low-income settings. In this study, we assessed the association between recent COVID-19 diagnosis and depressive and anxiety symptoms among residents in an urban slum setting in Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 284 individuals in a slum settlement in Kampala, Uganda between April and May 2022. We assessed generalized anxiety and depression symptoms using two validated questionnaires. 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. People with recent COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to be depressed (53.1%) than those with no recent diagnosis (31.4%). 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%). 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. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This work was supported by Makerere University School of Public Health under the Small Grants Programme (MakSPH-GRCB/18-19/01/02 to STW). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical approval was obtained from Makerere University School of Public Health Higher Degrees Research and Ethics Committee (HDREC: Ref No. SPH-2021-99) and Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST: Ref No. SS996ES). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes All relevant data are within the manuscript and its Supporting Information files.