The COVID-19 pandemic and serious psychological consequences in Bangladesh: A population-based nationwide study

Oct 29, 2020Journal of affective disorders

Serious mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A nationwide study

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Abstract

The prevalence rate of depression and suicidal ideation related to COVID-19 in Bangladesh was 33% and 5%, respectively.

Risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation included being young, female, a cigarette smoker, having comorbid diseases, high fear of COVID-19, and insomnia.
Geographical analysis revealed higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation in the capital and surrounding districts, as well as coastal areas with high COVID-19 prevalence.
The study utilized an online survey with 10,067 participants from all 64 districts of Bangladesh conducted during the first lockdown in April 2020.

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BACKGROUND: As with other countries worldwide, lockdown measures during the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh were sudden and unexpected, and have the capacity to elicit serious psychological consequences. The present study examined the psychological consequences of COVID-19 in Bangladesh during the lockdown period.

METHODS: A nationwide online cross-sectional survey study recruited 10,067 individuals covering all 64 districts in Bangladesh via social media (April 1-10, 2020). The survey comprised questions concerning socio-demographics, knowledge of COVID-19, behavior towards COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, insomnia, depression, and suicidal ideation. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed to identify the risk factors depression and suicidal ideation. Geographical information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis was used to identify district-wise susceptibility to depression and suicidal ideation.

FINDINGS: The prevalence rate of depression and suicidal ideation related to COVID-19 was 33% and 5%%. Common risk factors for suicidal ideation and depression included being young, being female, being a cigarette smoker, having comorbid diseases, having high scores on the Fear COVID-19 Scale, and having insomnia symptoms. GIS-based maps detected high depression and suicidal ideation in the capital of Bangladesh and the districts near the capital as well as coastal areas where COVID-19 prevalence was high, as compared with districts with no reported cases.

LIMITATIONS: Self-reported scales and cross-sectional design of the study.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 is associated with major psychological impact across Bangladesh, underlining the need of strategically located psychological support measures and improved access to mental health services, especially among women and younger people.

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The COVID-19 pandemic and serious psychological consequences in Bangladesh: A population-based nationwide study

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