A Survey on Depressive Symptoms and Its Correlates Amongst Physicians in Bangladesh During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of depressive symptoms and understand the potential factors associated with these symptoms among physicians in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in between April 21 and May 10, 2020, among physicians living in Bangladesh. Participants completed a series of demographic questions, COVID-19-related questions, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation), test statistics (chi-squared test and logistic regression) were performed to explore the association between physicians' experience of depression symptoms and other study variables. Stepwise binary logistic regression was followed while conducting the multivariable analysis. Result: A total of 390 physicians completed the survey. Of them, 283 (72.6%) were found to be experiencing depressive symptoms. Predictors which were significantly associated with depressive symptoms were gender (with females more likely to experience depression than males), the presence of sleep disturbance, being highly exposed to media coverage about the pandemic, and fear around (a) COVID-19 infection, (b) being assaulted/humiliated by regulatory forces and (c) by the general public, while traveling to and from the hospital and treating patients during the countrywide lockdown. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that there is a high prevalence of depressive symptom among physicians especially among female physicians in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediate, adequate and effective interventions addressing gender specific needs are required amid this ongoing crisis and beyond.

Depressive Symptom and Associated Factors Among School Adolescents of Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural Areas in Bangladesh: A Scenario Prior to COVID-19.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptom and the factors associated with this condition among urban, semi-urban and rural adolescents in the Dhaka district of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional study using two stage cluster sampling procedure was performed. A self-administered questionnaire was conveyed to 2,355 adolescents from nine secondary schools of Dhaka district of Bangladesh. Of the respondents, 2,313 completed the nine item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Besides, sociodemographic information, self-reported body image as well as modification of Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ) and WHO Global PA Questionnaire (GPAQ) were used to determine the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with depressive symptom among adolescents. Results: A total of 30.1% adolescents were found to be suffering from moderate to severely severe depressive symptom. Females (60.8%) were found suffering significantly more than males (39.2%). Sociodemographic factors, for example, residential setting and family size were found significantly associated with depressive symptom among adolescents. Adjusted estimate of logistic regression shows that physical inactivity (AOR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.14-1.84), >2 h/day screen time (AOR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.39-2.03), sleep dissatisfaction (AOR: 3.23; 95% CI: 2.64-3.96), and underweight body image perception (AOR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.70-3.13) were significantly associated with depressive symptom among adolescents. Conclusions: Among urban, semi-urban and rural school adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, depressive symptom is quite prevalent. To lessen the spread of depressive symptom among Bangladeshi adolescents, urgent steps should therefore be taken.

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Medical Students in Bangladesh During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Background: Whilst very limited studies have demonstrated a correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and depressive symptoms amongst Bangladeshi medical students, the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) remains widely unknown. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with depression symptoms among Bangladeshi medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Method: In this web-based cross-sectional pilot study, medical students' data was collected using the Google Forms web survey platform after obtaining electronic informed consent. A total of 425 medical students were selected using a systematic sampling technique to accumulate depression symptoms and demographic and pandemic-related information. Depression was measured by a self-administered, validated English version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) tool. The descriptive analysis utilized frequency and percentages, while the stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with depressive symptoms. Result: Among 425 medical students, 62.3% were female, 97.4% unmarried. Almost 80.2% of medical students had mild to severe levels of depressive symptoms as characterized by PHQ-9. A significantly higher probability of depression was found amongst female students (adjusted OR = 1.8), those who struggled to stay away from social media (adjusted OR = 1.8), those who tried to be optimistic for maintaining better psychology (adjusted OR = 11.1), and those who always had a sleeping difficulty in the last 4 weeks (adjusted OR = 8.9). Conclusion: A very high prevalence of depression symptoms among Bangladeshi medical students was found across the majority of socio-demographic variables. The alarming prevalence and associated factors of depression suggests the need for follow-intensity psychosocial interventions designed for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.