Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in frontline healthcare workers treating people with COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic are often under significant pressures that may predispose them to symptoms of poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCWs and factors correlated with mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. And, it also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and August, 2020. A self-reported online questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The survey included questions concerning socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work setting, as well as the HADS. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Results Data from 803 HCWs (50.7% male; mean age: 27.3 [SD = 6.9]; age range: 18-58 years) were included in the final analysis. The Bangla HADS was psychometrically sound, and demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability (α = 0.83), and excellent construct validity. Prevalence estimates of anxiety and depression were 69.5%, and 39.5%, respectively, for less severe symptomology (at least borderline abnormal), and 41.2% and 15.7% for more severe (at least abnormal) symptomology. Regression analyses with the total HADS score as a dependent variable revealed significant (p < 0.05) associations with female gender, moderate and poor health status, infrequent physical exercising, smoking, having had regrets about one’s profession because of the pandemic and associated experiences, not updating on the latest COVID-19-related research, experiencing discrimination in the workplace, and facing social problems due to working in a lab or hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The findings suggest a need for screening for mental health concerns, and employing early intervention to help these individuals.

COVID-19-specific diabetes worries amongst diabetic patients: The role of social support and other co-variates

“…Several studies conducted with different cohorts including the general population, university students, medical students, slumdwellers, health workers, and COVID-19 survivors have highlighted various mental health problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, panic, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and addictive behaviors such as problematic use of smartphone, internet, social media) in Bangladesh during the pandemic [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. To date, there is no prior study examining COVID-19-specific worries and diabetes related social-support among diabetic patients in Bangladesh.…”

Financial and Mental Health Concerns of Impoverished Urban-Dwelling Bangladeshi People During COVID-19

“…While these pandemic-related constraints were critical for preventing COVID-19, they also negatively impacted occupational opportunities, increased insecurity and generated financial challenges (Bhuiyan et al, 2020;Galicki, 2020). Pandemic issues such as spatial distancing, isolation, and quarantine, as well as social and economic consequences, have led to anger, boredom, fear, frustration, grief, depression, fear, grief, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shame, and stress (Brooks et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2020d,f;Tasnim et al, 2021). These constitute common mental health problems that many individuals have been experiencing during the pandemic, and these may continue after the crisis (Banerjee, 2020).…”

“…Experiencing or witnessing suffering related to COVID-19 may lead to PTSD among survivors, their families, frontline workers, and the general public (Xiao et al, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental wellbeing disproportionately among specific groups including adolescents, students, women, and healthcare workers, among others (Biviá-Roig et al, 2020;Commodari and La Rosa, 2020;Wang and Zhao, 2020;Tasnim et al, 2021). Moreover, increases in drinking behaviors, problematic use of smartphone, internet, social media, gaming, and other addictive behaviors have been reported during the pandemic (Higuchi et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2020e, 2021e;Rodriguez et al, 2020;La Rosa et al, 2021).…”

“…Many studies from Bangladesh and China during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed associations between COVID-19-related experiences and anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress (Boyraz and Legros, 2020;Cao et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2020f;Liang et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2020b;Zhang and Ma, 2020). Earlier studies conducted in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic reported that depression was associated with female gender, older age, married status, lower education, large family size (≥5 members), lower family income, urban residence, tobacco smoking, and sleep disturbances (Islam et al, 2020f, 2021bTasnim et al, 2021), while stress or PTSD was associated with female gender, older age, urban residence, tobacco smoking, and sleep disturbances (Islam et al, 2020f;Zubayer et al, 2020;Sultana et al, 2021).…”

“…Studies of general (community-dwelling) people, university students, medical students, healthcare workers and COVID-19 survivors have highlighted various mental health problems in Bangladesh during the pandemic [for instance, anxiety, depression, panic, stress, suicidal ideation, and behavioral problems (like problematic use of smartphone, internet, social media)] (Banna et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2020bIslam et al, ,c,e,f, 2021bTasnim et al, , 2021Safa et al, 2021). However, impoverished urban residents have not been adequately studied.…”