Browsing by Author "Aslam, Akhmed"

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    COVID-19-Related Mental Health Burdens: Impact of Educational Level and Relationship Status Among Low-Income Earners of Western Uganda
    (Kabale University, 2021) Lemuel, Ann Monima; Usman, Ibe Michael; Keneth Iceland, Kasozi; Alghamdi, Saad; Aigbogun, Eric Osamudiamwen; Archibong, Victor; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Kabanyoro, Annet; Ifie, Josiah Eseoghene; Swase, Dominic Terkimbi; Ssempijja, Fred; Ayuba, John Tabakwot; Matama, Kevin; Onohuean, Hope; Kembabazi, Stellamaris; Henry, Rachael; Odoma, Said; Yusuf, Helen; Afodun, Adam Moyosore; Assaggaf, Hamza M.; Kairania, Emmanuel; Aslam, Akhmed; Okon, Owoisinke; Batiha, Gaber El-Saber; Welburn, Susan Christina
    Objective: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health with the level of education, relationship status, and awareness on mental health among low-income earners in Western Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among 253 participants. Anxiety, anger, and depression were assessed using a modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2, and Beck Depression Inventory item tools, respectively. Results: The majority of our respondents were male (n = 150/253, 59.3), had a secondary level of education (104/253, 41.1), and were single (137/253, 54.2). No formal education and primary education (r2 = 47.4% and 6.4%, respectively) had a negative correlation with awareness of mental health care. In addition, no formal education had a positive correlation with anger and depression (r2 = 1.9% and 0.3%, respectively). Singleness in this study had a negative correlation with awareness of mental health care, anger, and depression (r2 = 1.9, 0.8, and 0.3%, respectively), and a positive correlation with anxiety (r2 = 3.9%). Conclusion: It is evident that education and relationship status influenced awareness on mental health care and mental health state among low-income earners in Western Uganda during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Therefore, policymakers should strengthen social transformation through the proper engagement of low-income earners in this COVID-19 era. Keywords: Mental Healthcare, Awareness, Relationship, Status, Educational Level, COVID-19, Low-Income Earners, Western Uganda.
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    Effects of B-Blockers on the Sympathetic and Cytokines Storms in Covid-19.
    (2021) Al-kuraishy, Hayder M.; Al-Gareeb, Ali Ismail; Mostafa-Hedeab, Gomaa; Keneth Iceland, Kasozi; Zirintunda, Gerald; Aslam, Akhmed; Allahyani, Mamdouh; Welburn, Susan Christina; Batiha, Gaber El-Saber
    Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a causative virus in the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Respiratory manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection such as acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) leads to hypoxia, oxidative stress, and sympatho-activation and in severe cases leads to sympathetic storm (SS). On the other hand, an exaggerated immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 invasion may lead to uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory cytokine development of cytokine storm (CS). In Covid-19, there are interactive interactions between CS and SS in the development of multi-organ failure (MOF). Interestingly, cutting the bridge between CS and SS by antiinflammatory and anti-adrenergic agents may mitigate complications that are induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in severely affected Covid-19 patients. The potential mechanisms of SS in Covid-19 are through different pathways such as hypoxia, which activate the central sympathetic center through carotid bodies chemosensory input and induced proinflammatory cytokines, which cross the blood-brain barrier and activation of the sympathetic center. b2-receptors signaling pathway play a crucial role in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, macrophage activation, and B-cells for the production of antibodies with inflammation exacerbation. b-blockers have anti-inflammatory effects through reduction release of pro-inflammatory cytokines with inhibition of NF-kB. In conclusion, b-blockers interrupt this interaction through inhibition of several mediators of CS and SS with prevention development of neural-cytokine loop in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Evidence from this study triggers an idea for future prospective studies to confirm the potential role of b-blockers in the management of Covid-19.