Household food insecurity, income loss, and symptoms of psychological distress among adults following the Cyclone Amphan in coastal Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction Cyclone Amphan swept into Bangladesh’s southwestern coast at the end of May 2020, wreaking havoc on food security and economic stability, as well as possibly worsening mental health. We studied the prevalence of post-cyclone stressors in adults following the cyclone and its association with symptoms of psychological distress. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in a coastal district of Bangladesh. A five-item brief symptom rating scale was used to measure the symptoms of psychological distress. Household food insecurity was measured using the USAID Household Food Insecurity Access Scale questionnaire. We estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) using robust log-linear models adjusted for potential confounders. Results A total of 478 adults (mean [SD] age, 37.0[12.6] years; 169[35.4%] women) participated in the study. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe psychological symptoms and suicidal ideation was 55.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Following the cyclone, 40.8% of the adults reported severe food insecurity, and 66% of them reported moderate-to-severe mental health symptoms. Also, 54.4% of women and 33.7% of men reported severe food insecurity in the households. Moreover, 25.5% of respondents reported no income or a significant income loss after the cyclone, and 65.5% of them had moderate-to-severe psychological symptoms. Also, 13.8% of respondents reported housing displacement because of severely damaged houses, and 68.2% of them reported moderate-to-severe psychological symptoms. The high prevalence of mental health symptoms was found in women (aPR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06–1.82), people with severe food insecurity (aPR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.01–2.64), and people who lost jobs or lost a major income source (aPR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02–1.54). Conclusion Following cyclone Amphan, many low-income individuals saw their income drop drastically while others were unemployed and living with severe food insecurity. The result suggests gender inequalities in food-security after the cyclone. Immediate action is needed to ensure household food-security for reducing the burden of mental illness. Rising opportunities of paid-jobs and decreasing income-loss, especially for the poor people, can have a protective impact on psychological distress. However, due to the high prevalence of severe psychological symptoms, long-term mental health services are required among the population of coastal Bangladesh.

Effects of Housing Aid on Psychosocial Health after a Disaster

“…Several studies have focused on Japan in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, all finding that temporary or uncertain housing is associated with higher risks of psychological distress [ 18 , 23 , 24 ]. Similar results characterize individuals affected by cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh [ 25 ] and individuals who experienced lengthy patterns of unstable housing after Hurricane Katrina in the United States [ 17 ]. The findings point to the important role that housing plays as an asset and as a source of connection to community and to opportunities of various forms and the stress created by housing uncertainty.…”

The Impact of the 2021 Cyclone Shaheen on the Mental Health of Affected Omanis

“… 21 Similarly, a study from Bangladesh has shown that people with low income affected by the 2021 Amphan cyclone were found to have a high prevalence of mental health symptoms. 22 These authors suggested immediate and long-term mental health support for this vulnerable population. Our results also showed that respondents who have an education only up to secondary level and without a university degree are more prone to develop psychological problems.…”

The relationship between climate change induced natural disasters and selected nutrition outcomes: a case of cyclone Idai, Zimbabwe

“…This showed the negative impact that Cyclone Idai had on child nutrition and food security. Also and relatedly, in 2020, Cyclone Amphan hit Bangladesh's south western coast, resulting in instability on food security as well as economic instability [17]. Cyclone Amphan left 40.8% of the adults with severe food insecurity due to job loss or loss of income, and a decrease in the living conditions.…”