The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the adult population in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has imposed threats on both physical and mental health since its outbreak. This study aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among a representative sample of home-quarantined Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional design was used with an online survey completed by a convenience sample recruited via social media. 1,427 respondents were recruited & assessed by DASS-21 measure. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the association of variables. The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression was 59.7%, 33.7%, and 57.9%, respectively. Chi-square tests suggest that age, gender, marital status, education, income, residence, and presence of an elderly family member are associated with mental health outcomes. Perceptions that the pandemic disrupted life events, affected mental health, jobs, the economy and education, predictions of a worsening situation, and uncertainty of the health care system capacities were significantly associated with poor mental health outcomes. Multivariable logistic regressions showed that sociodemographic factors and perceptions of COVID-19 significantly predict mental health outcomes. These findings warrant consideration of easily accessible low-intensity mental health interventions during and beyond this pandemic.

Lockdown Policy Dilemma: COVID-19 Pandemic versus Economy and Mental Health

“…The perception of the occurrence may play a big role in psychological impact. Fear of infection, financial uncertainty, inadequate food supplies, absence of physical exercise, and limited or no recreational activity had a significant association with stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms (Khan et al, 2020). A nationwide cross-sectional study shows that the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression was 59.7%, 33.7%, and 57.9%, respectively.…”

“…A nationwide cross-sectional study shows that the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression was 59.7%, 33.7%, and 57.9%, respectively. It also shows that age, gender, marital status, education, income, residence, and the presence of an elderly family member are associated with mental health outcomes (Banna et al, 2020).…”

COVID-19 and Bangladesh: Socio-Economic Analysis towards the Future Correspondence

“…As people cannot go out of the home due to lockdown and think safe from corona virus there is one group of people who may suffer very differently and much severely from this social distancing of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Banna et al [24] investigate that directives of lockdown may increase domestic violence against women, with social services focused on mitigating risks limited in their capacity to conduct much-needed outreach during quarantine. Higher levels of stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms were observed in females.…”

“…After lockdown period when people will started to go to their work place they will afraid of communicating their co-worker and have negatively affected their psychology as well as their communication capacity. Banna et al [24] investigate the mental health of the general adult population in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic and findings indicate that COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased mental health and acute or long-term post-traumatic stress disorder.…”

“…Banna et al [24] found that students of graduate level of education experienced high levels of stress more so that those with undergraduate or higher secondary educations. Concurrently, those with the lowest level of education have the highest rates of increased stress, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms during the pandemic.…”