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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Mood Disorders | Research

Mental health condition of physicians working frontline with COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh

Authors: Aminur Rahman, Farah Deeba, Sadika Akhter, Farzana Bashar, Dilruba Nomani, Jaap Koot, Kamrun Nahar Koly, Faysal Bin Salah, Kim Haverlag, Iqbal Anwar

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

The impact of the unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic had triggered new challenges for mental health. This quick survey aimed to identify the mental health status of physicians who served the people during COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

Methodology

The cross sectional survey was conducted adopting a quantitative approach and using an online questionnaire through Facebook Platform Group. Data was collected from August-October, 2020, on socio-demographic status, information on COVID-19 and questionnaires about Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 395 participants were enrolled from all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh.

Result

Our study reported a higher prevalence of depression (55.3%), anxiety (35.2%), and stress (48.4%) among 347 participants. Female physicians were found to have more stress (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.09 – 4.30) compared to the male. Physicians who were previously diagnosed as mentally ill were found to be significantly more depressed (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.07 – 11.10) and stressed (OR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.48 – 12.02) compared to them who did not. Along with that, having a chronic disease, working in non-government and COVID hospitals significantly contributed to poor mental health outcomes.

Conclusion

The study findings denoted that, the mental health of physicians was deeply affected by the pandemic situation. The availability of appropriate mental health support will help foster resilience by giving them the ability and confidence to manage crisis moments like the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Metadata
Title
Mental health condition of physicians working frontline with COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh
Authors
Aminur Rahman
Farah Deeba
Sadika Akhter
Farzana Bashar
Dilruba Nomani
Jaap Koot
Kamrun Nahar Koly
Faysal Bin Salah
Kim Haverlag
Iqbal Anwar
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/s12888-021-03629-w

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