Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
NIHR ARC NWC, Liverpool, UK.
Clin Gerontol. 2022 Jan-Feb;45(1):97-105. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2021.1910394. Epub 2021 Apr 12.
Older adults across the globe have been particularly affected by the novel coronavirus due to their increased susceptibility to the virus. With limited existing research, the aim of this study was to explore the psychological effects of COVID-19 public health measures on older adults in Uganda and their coping mechanisms.
Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with older Ugandans (aged 60+) in June 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of public health measures, and their effects on the lives of older adults compared to pre-pandemic.
Three themes were identified: Impact on emotional well-being; Implications on physical well-being; and Coping mechanisms. Older adults experienced both psychological and physical effects, including upset, fear, and frustration about restrictions and the virus, as well as early signs of increased frailty, thus causing concerns for the long-term emotional and physical health of older Ugandans.
Public health measures need to be considerate of the potential long-term implications on the well-being of older adults in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, and ensure the possibility for continued physical exercise and social connection. This can be particularly challenging for people from more disadvantaged backgrounds who may not be able to afford a smartphone or laptop, with older adults further requiring support in using digital technologies.
Older adults need to receive adequate psychological support to cope with the mental health impacts of the pandemic.
由于老年人对病毒的易感性增加，因此在全球范围内，老年人受到新型冠状病毒的影响尤为严重。由于现有研究有限，本研究旨在探讨 COVID-19 公共卫生措施对乌干达老年人的心理影响及其应对机制。
2020 年 6 月，对 30 名乌干达老年人（年龄在 60 岁以上）进行了半结构化访谈。参与者被问及他们对公共卫生措施的经验，以及与大流行前相比，这些措施对老年人生活的影响。
确定了三个主题：对情绪健康的影响；对身体健康的影响；应对机制。老年人经历了心理和身体两方面的影响，包括对限制和病毒的不安、恐惧和沮丧，以及脆弱性增加的早期迹象，这引起了人们对乌干达老年人长期情绪和身体健康的担忧。
公共卫生措施需要考虑到对中低收入国家老年人福祉的潜在长期影响，并确保继续进行身体锻炼和社会联系的可能性。对于那些可能无法负担智能手机或笔记本电脑的来自较不利背景的人来说，这可能特别具有挑战性，老年人在使用数字技术方面还需要更多的支持。
老年人需要获得足够的心理支持，以应对大流行对心理健康的影响。
