Anxiety and Anger Among Undergraduates Students During Second Nationwide Covid-19 Lockdown in Western Uganda

Objective: Anxiety and anger are one of the most neglected mental health conditions, hence often undetected and untreated. The present studies investigated the Anxiety and anger burden and knowledge of UGS on mental health care services.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst UGS above the age of 18 in western Uganda. A closed-ended questionnaire uploaded on google form was used to collect data from the respondents (n=196). Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) were used to assess anxiety and anger respectively.Results: Few UGS (47.4%) knew about COVID-19 mental health care services. UGS who had knowledge about mental health services had low levels of anxiety (R = 0.010; P = 0.894) and anger (R = -0.025; P= 0.724) with increasing age. However, anxiety and anger increase with age among female UGS but reduce in males. UGS with partners had high levels of anxiety and anger during lower age levels (below the 20s) and these decrease with aging and this relationship is inverse in their single counterparts.Conclusions: Generally, most UGS in western Uganda are not knowledgeable about mental health care services, therefore, suggesting more work on the path of policymakers in alleviating the possible mental health impact of possible future outbreaks as previous campaigns have mostly focused on health care workers.