Effect of COVID-19 on Teso Sub-Region Community in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The study aimed to achieve two main objectives. First, it sought to assess the effect of COVID-19 on the social wellbeing of people of Teso sub-region. Secondly, it sought to assess the effect of COVID-19 on the economic wellbeing of people in Teso sub-region. The study further sought to make recommendations on some of the practical ways that can enable the people of Teso to deal with COVID-19 and to survive in an era now globally known as the “new normal.” The research design was a descriptive cross-sectional study among community members in three representative districts of Teso, namely Soroti, Katakwi and Kumi. Information from members of the community was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire comprising statements regarding the social and economic wellbeing of the people of Teso. The information was later descriptively presented as frequency and percentage. Additionally, an interview guide was used to collect data from members of District, Sub-county or Division Task Forces on COVID-19 in the three districts. The target population for this study was members of the Teso sub-region community. The sample size for this study was 150 respondents drawn from local communities for quantitative data and 26 members of task forces on COVID-19. A simplified quantitative analysis was used to capture three elements from quantitative data: mean range, response mode and interpretation. The study found that there was a very high awareness about COVID-19 and its symptoms in Teso. It also revealed a depressing trend arising from the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of Teso. Businesspeople were most affected adversely in economic terms.