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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2021

01-12-2021 | Mood Disorders | Research

Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in frontline healthcare workers treating people with COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Authors: Rafia Tasnim, Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan, Md. Saiful Islam, Asmaul Husna Ritu, Md. Abid Bin Siddique, Tanziha Yeasmin Toma, Rifat Nowshin, Abid Hasan, Sahadat Hossain, Shamsun Nahar, Salequl Islam, Muhammad Sougatul Islam, Marc N. Potenza, Jim van Os

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic are often under significant pressures that may predispose them to symptoms of poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCWs and factors correlated with mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. And, it also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and August, 2020. A self-reported online questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The survey included questions concerning socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work setting, as well as the HADS. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression analysis were performed.

Results

Data from 803 HCWs (50.7% male; mean age: 27.3 [SD = 6.9]; age range: 18-58 years) were included in the final analysis. The Bangla HADS was psychometrically sound, and demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability (α = 0.83), and excellent construct validity. Prevalence estimates of anxiety and depression were 69.5%, and 39.5%, respectively, for less severe symptomology (at least borderline abnormal), and 41.2% and 15.7% for more severe (at least abnormal) symptomology. Regression analyses with the total HADS score as a dependent variable revealed significant (p < 0.05) associations with female gender, moderate and poor health status, infrequent physical exercising, smoking, having had regrets about one’s profession because of the pandemic and associated experiences, not updating on the latest COVID-19-related research, experiencing discrimination in the workplace, and facing social problems due to working in a lab or hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The findings suggest a need for screening for mental health concerns, and employing early intervention to help these individuals.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression in frontline healthcare workers treating people with COVID-19 in Bangladesh
Authors
Rafia Tasnim
Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan
Md. Saiful Islam
Asmaul Husna Ritu
Md. Abid Bin Siddique
Tanziha Yeasmin Toma
Rifat Nowshin
Abid Hasan
Sahadat Hossain
Shamsun Nahar
Salequl Islam
Muhammad Sougatul Islam
Marc N. Potenza
Jim van Os
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03243-w

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