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

Mamun MA, Sakib N, Gozal D, Bhuiyan AI, Hossain S, Bodrud-Doza M, Al Mamun F, Hosen I, Safiq MB, Abdullah AH, Sarker MA, Rayhan I, Sikder MT, Muhit M, Lin C, Griffiths MD, Pakpour AH

J Affect Disord 279 (-) 462-472 [2020-10-17; online 2020-10-17]

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

Category: Other

Category: Social Science & Humanities

Type: Journal article

PubMed 33120247

DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.036

Crossref 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.036

pii: S0165-0327(20)32880-9
pmc: PMC7568472


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