Background The COVID-19 lockdown, the advent of working from home, and other unprecedent events have resulted in multilayer and multidimensional impacts on our personal, social, and occupational lives. Mental health conditions are deteriorating, financial crises are increasing in prevalence, and the need to stay at home has resulted in the increased prevalence of domestic violence. In Bangladesh, where domestic violence is already prevalent, the lockdown period and stay-at-home orders could result in more opportunities and increased scope for perpetrators of domestic violence. Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of domestic violence during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in Bangladesh and the perceptions of domestic violence survivors with regard to mental health care. Methods We conducted this cross-sectional web-based study among the Bangladeshi population and used a semistructured self-reported questionnaire to understand the patterns of domestic violence and perceptions on mental health care from August to September 2020. The questionnaire was disseminated on different organizational websites and social media pages (ie, those of organizations that provide mental health and domestic violence services). Data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS (version 22.0; IBM Corporation). Results We found that 36.8% (50/136) of respondents had faced domestic violence at some point in their lives; psychological abuse was the most common type of violence. However, the prevalence of the economical abuse domestic violence type increased after the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced. Although 96.3% (102/136) of the participants believed that domestic violence survivors need mental health support, only 25% (34/136) of the respondents had an idea about the mental health services that are available for domestic violence survivors in Bangladesh and how and where they could avail mental health services. Conclusions Domestic violence is one of the most well-known stressors that have direct impacts on physical and mental health. However, the burden of domestic violence is often underreported, and its impact on mental health is neglected in Bangladesh. The burden of this problem has increased during the COVID-19 crisis, and the cry for mental health support is obvious in the country. However, it is necessary to provide information about available support services; telepsychiatry can be good option for providing immediate mental health support in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
UNSTRUCTURED The unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 has created a scope to increase domestic violence against women all over the world. In Bangladesh where domestic violence is already prevalent, the lockdown period and stay at home orders can give the perpetrators more time to engage in violence. Isolation, social distancing, anxiety and stress about pandemic along with domestic violence can deteriorate the mental health status of the victims. Telepsychiatry Research and Innovation Network (TRIN) Ltd. conducted an online survey among the Bangladeshi population to understand the ongoing scenario of domestic violence. The questionnaire was disseminated through social media and the website of TRIN. Among the 136 participants (male=25.7%, female=74.3%), 36.8% (n=50) have faced domestic violence at any time of their lives. 24.2% of the participants have experienced domestic violence during this period of lockdown and the participants identified “Increase in different types of mental stress” as one of the key causes to increase domestic violence in this period. 96.3% and 93.4% of the participants respectively thought that the victims and the participants need mental health care. However, 62% of the victims did not have any clear idea about the available mental health services for them. This period of global health crisis has already opened a new window for telemedicine and telepsychiatric interventions can be useful in this regard as it can ensure mental health services 24/7 maintaining anonymity. Immediate telepsychiatry support can reduce the mental health burden among the victims and also can help the perpetrators to mitigate their violent behaviors towards the family members.
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