Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care (Jun 2024)

Mental health status among chronic disease patients in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a cross-sectional study

  • Yasmin Jahan,
  • Zara Khair,
  • Michiko Moriyama,
  • Md Robed Amin,
  • Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader,
  • Taiyaba Tabassum Ananta,
  • Asma Binte Aziz,
  • Mohiuddin Sharif,
  • Monirul Hasan,
  • Md Forhadul Islam Chowdhury,
  • Nusrat Benta Nizam,
  • Syed Mohammad Ariful Islam,
  • Mohammad Habibur Rahman,
  • Mohammad Habibur Rahman Sarker,
  • Md Moshiur Rahman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1608_23
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 7
pp. 2639 – 2646

Abstract

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Context: The COVID-19 epidemic has had a substantial influence on the mental health of chronic disease patients. However, there is a scarcity of research on them in Bangladesh. Aims: This study aims to explore the prevalence of and identify the risk factors for depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with chronic diseases in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involving face-to-face and telephone interviews was carried out among Bangladeshi people diagnosed with chronic diseases between September and November 2020. The total sample size was 878, and a convenient sampling technique was used. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate potential influencing factors for depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: The mean age of respondents was 50.10 years. Among them, 35.0%, 36.0%, and 29.0% suffered from depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, depression had a significant positive association with higher age (≥60 years), lower income, rural residency, and loss of close family members due to COVID-19. Anxiety had a significant positive association with higher age (≥40 years), lower education, lower income, rural residency, and loss of close family members due to COVID-19. Stress had a significant positive association with higher age (≥40 years), no income, rural residency, and loss of close family members due to COVID-19. Conclusion: It is urgent to consider the risk of developing mental health distress among chronic disease patients, especially aged people, by health service providers and generate effective programs for emergency situations.

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