Scholarlink

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the global economy and public health, with lockdowns and stay-at-home orders bringing life to a halt. Evidence from high-income countries with social safety nets, such as sick leave and social welfare relief, indicates increased alcohol use during lockdowns. Drivers of alcohol use, such as intimate partner violence and depression, also increased globally as individuals were isolated at home, often with their abuser. While poverty and food insecurity rose globally, the economic impact was greater in lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where most are employed in the informal sector and lack social safety nets. In Uganda, school closures persisted for 22 months, forcing many young adults to move home and put their lives and education on hold. In this context, patterns of alcohol use during the pandemic were diverse, influenced by economic insecurity, societal shutdowns, and alcohol availability. This chapter explores how mental health and alcohol use were affected during the pandemic, focusing on young adults in LMICs. Uganda, with its high alcohol consumption per capita among young adults and stringent lockdowns, provides a key case study. We conclude with recommendations for how LMICs can better address alcohol use and mental health in future public health crises.

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The Implications of Resource Scarcity, a National Lockdown, and a Global Pandemic on Alcohol Use, Mental Health, and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Case of Uganda

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

查看全文
  • Amanda P. Miller,
  • Stephen Mugamba,
  • Susan M. Kiene

摘要

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the global economy and public health, with lockdowns and stay-at-home orders bringing life to a halt. Evidence from high-income countries with social safety nets, such as sick leave and social welfare relief, indicates increased alcohol use during lockdowns. Drivers of alcohol use, such as intimate partner violence and depression, also increased globally as individuals were isolated at home, often with their abuser. While poverty and food insecurity rose globally, the economic impact was greater in lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where most are employed in the informal sector and lack social safety nets. In Uganda, school closures persisted for 22 months, forcing many young adults to move home and put their lives and education on hold. In this context, patterns of alcohol use during the pandemic were diverse, influenced by economic insecurity, societal shutdowns, and alcohol availability. This chapter explores how mental health and alcohol use were affected during the pandemic, focusing on young adults in LMICs. Uganda, with its high alcohol consumption per capita among young adults and stringent lockdowns, provides a key case study. We conclude with recommendations for how LMICs can better address alcohol use and mental health in future public health crises.