Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization
Climate change has led to greater incidences of EWE, such as severe heatwaves, floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. Drought and erratic rainfall patterns, directly and indirectly, affect food and water security, resulting in high poverty rates and adverse mental health outcomes. While findings from a recent scoping review (no studies from Africa) found that climate change was associated with stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there is a need for further research (Sharpe & Davison, 2021) that prioritizes the co-occurrence of mental health and climate change to inform targeted interventions and policies in the Global South.
To qualitatively explore the influence of successive drought and erratic rainfall on immediate mental health responses and existential long-term fear and anxieties. We also explored the sources of youth resiliency regarding climate change to inform contextually relevant interventions.
To examine the association between droughts, seasonality/erratic rainfall, and youth mental health challenges, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress symptom severity
To determine the factors that moderate the effects of drought and seasonality on mental health outcomes. We will examine intrapersonal (resilience and empowerment), interpersonal (social support), and community (social cohesion) resources to mitigate the impacts of drought and erratic rainfall on mental health outcomes
Protocol Title
Examining the Impact of Prolonged Droughts and Erratic Rainfall Events on the Health and Well-being of Youths (15-24 years) in Uganda
Study Site
Wakiso and Hoima study sites
Kyasanku Emmanuel
Research Associate
Dr. William Byansi
Principal Investigator
SI-RITEA: Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, Boston College
Contact our research team to learn about eligibility and how to get involved.
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