Mental health of young people amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: The psychological burden of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and lockdown strategy among young people not diagnosed with COVID-19 in the general population remains unknown and often have been overlooked. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, depression and stress among young people diagnosed with COVID-19 of Bangladesh amidst the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 1 May to 30 May 2020 using an online Google formbased questionnaire posted on Facebook. A snowball sampling approach was used for data collection. A total of 974 self-declared healthy individuals not diagnosed with COVID-19 participated here. Anxiety, depression and stress were measured using Bangla validated Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively. Statistical software SPSS 20 was used for analysis. Result: Average age of the population was 25.86 AE 6.26 (SD) years with nearly half (48.6%) of them being young people (15 to 24 years). Most of the participants were male (76.3%). The overall prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress was found to be 64.1%, 73.3% and 69.4%, respectively. Young people had significantly higher proportion of anxiety (67.2% vs 61.1%), and depression (78.2% vs 68.7%) compared to adults (p ¼ 0.045 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, most of the participants had mild depression (30.3%), minimal anxiety (31.4%), and moderate stress (67.5%), and severity of depression and anxiety was higher in the young participants. The mean GAD-7, PHQ-9 and PSS scores were 7.57 AE 5.61, 9.19 AE 6.15 and 16.02 AE 5.55 (SD), respectively. On multivariable logistic analysis, unemployment (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 3.642; Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.005-13.200; p < 0.05) was the single most important predictor of depression. For stress, unemployment (AOR 1.399; CI: 1.055-1.855), and female sex (AOR 1.638; CI: 1.158-2.317) were significant predictors. Conclusion: Anxiety, depression and stress were highly prevalent among young people ( 24 years) not diagnosed with COVID-19 in Bangladesh amidst the pandemic. Unemployment is the most common underlying determinant. Authorities should address the issue on a priority basis.

Depression and stress regarding future career among university students during COVID-19 pandemic

“…This study intends to assess the prevalence of depression and stress among university students in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding their future careers and to identify the factors related to this depression and stress. We found that gender, managing study cost by own, living with family during the pandemic, delaying graduation, less skilled, no internship opportunity, pressure by the family for financial support and start-up plan are notably associated with depression and stress among the students considering their future career; some of which shows consistency with previous studies on university students in other developing countries [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…During COVID-19, several studies are conducted in Bangladesh based on the depression and anxiety of the students. For example, after the lockdown, a study on Bangladeshi students showed that more than 80% students have mild to severe depression where male students have higher depressive symptoms [ 28 , 29 ]. Also, it was observed that among the underlying factors playing behind this mental breakdown among the young adults, unemployment, financial instability and uncertainty of job were determined as some major culprits [ 30 , 31 ].…”

The impact of built environment on mental health: A COVID-19 lockdown perspective

“…Importantly, there are both similarities and differences between this research and the extant studies on built environment design and mental health that may advance existing understanding and knowledge. Specific to the context of COVID-19, age is negatively correlated with depression and anxiety, which is consistent with Khan et al (2021) . The impact on the daily routine of young people and adults during the COVID-19 lockdown may be more drastic because young people and adults are forced to stay at home when they should be studying and working, which may be one of the reasons for their depression and anxiety.…”

Prevalence of Covid-19 Associated Symptoms, Their Onset and Duration, and Variations Among Different Groups of Patients in Bangladesh

“…Data were collected from Sept 08, 2020, to Nov 08, 2020. At that time, it was not feasible to conduct community-based surveys due to the countrywide lockdown implemented by the government (27,28). This self-reported retrospective study was conducted using a standardized questionnaire.…”