Experts explain increased alcohol consumption to cope with COVID-19

Jun 03, 2020

Kiruddu Hospital director says the facility's bed capacity has been overwhelmed because most of the admissions are from people who suffered a sickness related to consumption of alcohol.

ANALYSISIWEBINAR  I COVID-19

Last week the director of Kiruddu Hospital, Dr Charles Kabugo, told journalists that the Government facility had over the last weeks recorded an increase in numbers of patients reporting alcohol-related illnesses.

According to Dr Kabugo, the hospital's bed capacity has been overwhelmed because most of the admissions are from people who suffered a sickness related to consumption of alcohol, forcing the hospital to deny admission to patients with other complications due to lack of space.

The country has been under lockdown for the last more than 70 days since government announced measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The lockdown measures among other things involved majority of businesses closing, workers staying home, in some instances some asked to work from home, while in other instances people were asked to take leave. The pandemic world over has affected livelihoods of many people.

Experts say the restrictions on movement by governments helped to reassure the public that there were steps being made to curb the spread of a disease that has caused devastation across the world. In equal measure, however, the pandemic has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty among many people and families.

Besides the fear for the still mysterious disease, the effect on livelihoods and the loss of jobs are all issues that people have to deal with mentally. As a result, many people have adopted habits such as alcohol consumption as coping mechanisms.

Prof Noeline Nakasujja, a consultant and head of the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, explains that the pandemic has caused changes in people's routines.

Children are no longer in schools, their parents are home, there is no movement even for leisure activity, and all this has resulted into fear and dysfunctionality, which are symptoms of mental health.

Nakasujja, speaking during a citizen webinar on COVID-19, says that mental health experts have the duty to help people cope with the uncertainties.

"If we don't address the immediate dangers that citizens face, this increases the frustration and resulting depression that most citizens are confronted with," Nakasujja explains.

Data is yet to be issued on the number of people that have been affected mentally by the pandemic. But existing data indicates that more than four million Ugandans abuse alcohol. Dr Hafsa Lukwata, from the Ministry of Health, says government is collecting data but they predict a spike in mental health cases over the next few weeks.

Makerere University has launched a study to establish how people that have suffered and recovered from COVID-19 will be affected mentally. The study, according to Dr Nakasujja aims to establish whether patients will be able to resettle in their communities following stigmatisation that has forced some recovered patients to relocate.

Prof Nakasujja says the University seeks to establish whether the patients will develop post-traumatic stress disorders and stress disorders. She adds that besides patients and medical workers involved in the treatment of COVID-19 will also be assessed since they are handling a novel disease that has caused fear.

The experts have advised Ugandans to seek early intervention by opening up about their mental status and speaking about their fears to avoid escalation into more serious mental disorders.

Nakasujja explains that children are no exception in people affected mentally by the pandemic. "We must explain to children what is going on during COVID-19 so they can understand and comprehend the fast changing reality. Failure to do so increases anxiety among children," she says, adding: "This brings about cases of nightmares, heightened fear and a drastic change in behaviour."

Dr Paul Kasenene, speaking during the webinar, advised Ugandans to seek expert intervention.

"Let's seek help when we need it, especially if you feel that you are not coping well. We have institutions and trained proffessionals that can manage your anxieties," Dr Kasenene said.

The webinar, a panel discussion between expert and citizens, organised by the Ministry of ICT in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung foundation and the Ministry of Health, was the second of three discussions aired on national television UBC, and carried on different social media platforms, including Zoom and the New Vision facebook page.

The third and last webinar on Saturday June 6 will feature discussions on how to combat fake news created by people seeking an opportunity to collect and interpret information about the pandemic.

Communication Professionals, including seasoned journalist Andrew Mwenda, Senior Presidential Press Secretary Don Wanyama, Ministry of Health spokesperson Emmanuel Ayinebyoona and the head of Journalism and communication at Makerere University, Dr William Tayebwa among others, will discuss the threat of fake news during a pandemic.


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