Browsing by Author "Herbert E., Ainamani"

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Caregiving burden and mental health problems among family caregivers of people with dementia in rural Uganda
(Cambridge University Press, 2020) Herbert E., Ainamani; Paul E., Alele; Godfrey Z., Rukundo; Samuel, Maling; Edith K., Wakida; Celestino, Obua; Alexander C., Tsai
Background. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are associated with increasing health burden in low- and middle-income countries. Less well-recognized is the potential health bur den experienced by other affected individuals, such as family caregivers. In this study, we sought to profile the burden of care and its association with symptoms of depression and anx iety among informal caregivers of people living with dementia in rural southwestern Uganda. Method. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 232 family caregivers of people with demen tia. The key measured variables of interest were caregiving burden (Zarit Burden Index) and symptoms of depression and anxiety (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales). We fitted multivari able regression models specifying depression and anxiety symptoms as the primary outcomes of interest and caregiving burden as the primary explanatory variable of interest. Results. Family caregivers of people with dementia experience significant caregiving burden, with each item on the Zarit Burden Index endorsed by more than 70% of study participants. Nearly half [108 (47%)] of caregivers had Zarit Burden Interview scores >60, suggestive of severe caregiving burden. In multivariable regression models, we estimated a statistically significant positive association between caregiving burden and symptoms of both depression [b = 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.49] and anxiety (b = 0.37; 95% CI 0.30–0.45). Conclusion. Family caregivers of people with dementia in rural Uganda experience a high caregiving burden, which is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Interventions aimed at reducing caregiving burden may have important collateral mental health benefits
Child Maltreatment Increases the Risk of Self-esteem Impairment
(East African Journal of Health and Science, 2023) Eunice, Ndyareeba; Herbert E., Ainamani; Grace, Ankunda; Agnes, Amanya
Child maltreatment exposes children to developmental risks pertaining to internalizing problems both in early and later life. However, research on this phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries is scanty. Our study aimed at examining the association between different forms of child maltreatment and self-esteem among children and adolescents in Uganda. The present investigation involved conducting interviews with a cohort of 232 school going children and adolescents. The Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure Pediatric-Version (MACE) questionnaire was employed to evaluate the various forms of maltreatment that the participants may have encountered. Furthermore, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE) was utilized to gauge their self-esteem. To explore the association between diverse maltreatment categories and self-esteem levels, descriptive statistics were employed, and linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS. Our results showed that the majority 162 (70%) of the children had low self-esteem and high levels of childhood maltreatment (M = 28.7, SD = 2.16). The study found a statistically significant inverse relationship between child maltreatment and self-esteem (b -0.012, p=-.0.0025). It was also found that the regression model was statistically significant and therefore the data fits the model (F = 5.82, E = .017). The regression equation indicated that for every unit increase in child maltreatment, self-esteem decreases by 1.3%. It was concluded that maltreatment has a negative detrimental impact on the self-esteem of children and adolescents. The study contributes to the existing knowledge base and its implications for intervention, support, and prevention efforts in the context of child maltreatment.
Exploring the Potential Distinction Between Continuous Traumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Stress in an East African Refugee Sample
(SAGE, 2017) Herbert E., Ainamani; Tobias, Hecker; Katharin, Hermenau; Eva, Haefele; Thomas, Elbert
Posttraumatic stress (PTS) indicates a continuous stress response that persists though threats to life had been experienced in the past. However, threats to life are frequently ongoing. For these contexts, the concept of continuous traumatic stress (CTS) has been put forward. Based on structured clinical interviews with Congolese refugees (N = 226), this study investigated the CTS concept and whether it can be distinguished from PTS. We found that current exposure to violence correlated positively with concerns about its recurrence in the CTS group (r = .46). An ANCOVA indicated that higher intrusion symptom severity in the PTS group (no symptom reduction under safe conditions) was explained by higher lifetime trauma exposure (η2 = .125). In contexts of continuous trauma exposure, symptom-like responses may be regarded as appropriate responses to realistic danger. In these contexts, the possibility that symptom changes are a response to real threats should be considered to avoid overestimation of PTSD prevalences
Gardening activity and its relationship to mental health:
(Elsevier, 2022) Herbert E., Ainamani; Nolbert, Gumisiriza; Wilson M., Bamwerinde; Godfrey Z., Rukundo
There is increasing awareness among researchers and health practitioners from high income countries about the potential mental health benefits of participating in gardening activities and spending substantial time in green spaces. However, this phenomenon is not well established in low- and middle-income countries. In this com mentary, we discuss the evidence base surrounding the potential mental health benefits of participating in gardening activity and spending substantial time in a green space. We hope to stimulate discourse about incorporating these activities into mental health prevention in low- and middle-income countries.