Impact on mental health due to COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Bangladesh

Refat Khan Pathan; Munmun Biswas; Suraiya Yasmin; Mohammad Amaz Uddin; Anindya Das; Mayeen Uddin Khandaker; M.R.I. Faruque; Moniruzzaman Sarker

Clinical eHealth (Dec 2023)

Impact on mental health due to COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Bangladesh

Refat Khan Pathan,
Munmun Biswas,
Suraiya Yasmin,
Mohammad Amaz Uddin,
Anindya Das,
Mayeen Uddin Khandaker,
M.R.I. Faruque,
Moniruzzaman Sarker

Affiliations

Refat Khan Pathan: Dept. of Computing and Information Systems, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia; Corresponding authors.
Munmun Biswas: Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh
Suraiya Yasmin: Department of Computer and Information Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei - 184-0012, Tokyo, Japan
Mohammad Amaz Uddin: Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong 4349, Bangladesh
Anindya Das: Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong 4349, Bangladesh
Mayeen Uddin Khandaker: Center for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia; Faculty of Graduate Studies, Daffodil International University, Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar, Dhaka – 1216, Bangladesh; Corresponding authors.
M.R.I. Faruque: Space Science Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Moniruzzaman Sarker: Southampton Malaysia Business School, University of Southampton Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6
pp. 42 – 52

Abstract

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The government of Bangladesh has implemented the “Stay Home” policy following the WHO recommendation to resist the community transmission of Covid-19. As a result, the routine activities of all government, semi-government establishments, including educational institutions, are severely affected, and the country's economic growth becomes slowed down. To overcome such a situation, the relevant authorities have introduced the “Work from Home” policy for the employees and “Remote Education” for students. However, due to the persistence of multi-dimensional socio-economic problems, many employees and students face big challenges in performing their regular jobs while adopting such a policy. Consequently, enormous psychological anxiety has been developed for all people, including students, parents, employees, etc., and concurrently created severe changes in their behavior. This study aims to analyze the reasons for the behavioral changes of the employees, students, academic staff, and family members of different ages due to psychological anxiety, stress, or physical issues. A comprehensive online-based survey has been carried out on people working in various sectors in Bangladesh. A modified Apriori Algorithm has been used to sort out the associations between the causes and types of behavioral changes. Analyzed data revealed a massive human behavioral change in most participants. This finding indicates that the negligence of those significant human behavioral changes may cause a higher risk of creating psychological imbalance. Therefore, there is a need to have a solid understanding of the reasons for the behavioral changes and set up standard guidelines to maintain “Work from Home” in this Covid-19 situation to avoid psychological imbalance. Based on this study, some suggestions have been given for implementation by the government on an urgent basis.

Published in Clinical eHealth

ISSN: 2588-9141 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/clinical-ehealth/

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