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This study focuses on Bangladeshi university entrance test-taking students mental health problems and explores the geographical distribution of these problems using GIS technique. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1523 university entrance test-taking students. Data were collected on participants' socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related factors, admission tests, depression, and anxiety. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed using SPSS software. GIS mapping was used to visualize the distribution of mental health problems across districts using ArcGIS. The study found that the prevalence rates of depression and anxiety among university entrance examinees were 53.8% and 33.2%, respectively. Males exhibited higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to females, while repeat test-taking students were more susceptible to these mental health issues compared to first-time test-takers. Factors such as urban residence, personal/familial COVID-19 infections, and COVID-19 deaths in close relationships were associated with increased mental health problems. District-based distribution showed no significant variation in depression, but anxiety varied significantly. Post-hoc GIS analysis revealed variations in the distribution of depression and anxiety among males, as well as variations in anxiety distribution based on student status across districts. This study emphasizes the high prevalence of depression and anxiety among university entrance examinees, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health risks in this population. It also suggests the need for reforms in the university entrance test-taking system to reduce psychological problems and advocates for a more inclusive approach to student admissions to alleviate mental health burdens., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among diabetic patients in a cross-sectional sample and perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the extant studies to date., Methods: A face-to-face semi-structured interview of established diabetic patients was conducted in four districts of Bangladesh between May 24 to June 24, 2022, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used to detect depression. PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis, with Bangladeshi articles published until 3rd February 2023., Results: The prevalence of depression among 390 diabetic patients was 25.9%. Having secondary education and using both insulin and medication increased the likelihood of depression, whereas being a business professional and being physically active reduced the likelihood of depression. The systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that the pooled estimated prevalence of depression was 42% (95% CI 32-52%). Females had a 1.12-times higher risk of depression than males (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.25, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Two-fifths of diabetic patients were depressed, with females at higher risk. Since depression among diabetic patients increases adverse outcomes, improved awareness and screening methods should be implemented to detect and treat depression in diabetic patients., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background and Aims: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a globally recognized public health concern, yet research focusing on women in urban areas of Bangladesh remains unexplored. This study aimed to address this research gap by investigating the prevalence and associated factors of PPD within the first 2 years after childbirth. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted, enrolling 259 women (26.66 ± 4.57 years) residing in urban areas who were attending healthcare delivery centers. Sociodemographic factors, child‐related issues, pregnancy‐related complications, and PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used for data collection. Data analysis involved the application of χ2 tests and logistic regression analysis using SPSS software. Results: This study found a 60.6% prevalence of PPD using a cutoff of 10 (out of 30) on the EPDS scale. Logistic regression analysis identified several significant factors associated with PPD, including high monthly family income (odds ratio [OR] = 47.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.34–270.54, p < 0.001), income dissatisfaction (OR = 14.28, 95% CI: 4.75–42.87, p < 0.001), up to two gravidities (OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.25–6.90, p = 0.013), pregnancy‐related complications (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.05–6.96, p = 0.039), increased antenatal care visits, and higher childbirth expenses. Conclusion: This study underscores the high prevalence of PPD among urban mothers in Bangladesh. The identified risk factors emphasize the need for targeted mental health initiatives, specifically tailored to support the vulnerable group. Implementing such initiatives can effectively address the challenges posed by PPD and enhance the well‐being of postpartum women in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Despite evidence that COVID‐19 vaccination can strengthen mental health, there is limited evidence about this in Bangladesh. Thus, this comparative study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with mental health problems between vaccine receivers and nonreceivers. Methods: Using a snowball sampling technique, a web‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among a total of 459 participants. The survey questionnaire included sociodemographic information, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ—9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD—7), and the Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ—10). Results: The study found that mental health problems were nonsignificantly prevalent in the vaccine nonreceivers than those who received it (i.e., 24.79% vs. 20.60% for depression, 21.20% vs. 16.60% for anxiety, and 15.30% vs. 12.60% for posttraumatic stress disorder). Female gender, chronic condition, smoking status, and alcohol consumption were the risk factors for mental health problems. Conclusion: This study's findings suggest that the COVID‐19 vaccination necessarily improves mental health outcomes. However, the study had limitations in terms of its design and sampling technique, and further research is needed to establish a cause‐effect relationship between vaccination and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palliative care services involve the psychological care of the caregivers of cancer patients. Psychological conditions, especially depression among caregivers, distort caregiving roles; thus, it can increase a patient's psychological suffering. Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression and associated coping strategies among caregivers of cancer patients at a rural cancer care facility. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was among 366 caregivers of cancer patients. The data was collected using a pretested questionnaire, where the symptoms of depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 at a cutoff of 10 out of 27. The coping strategies were assessed based on the Brief‐coping orientation to problems experienced Inventory. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with depression. Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.01 (±11.50) years; most were females (60.38%). The prevalence of depression was 8.2%. The identified factors associated with increased likelihood of depression were coping strategies: active coping (aOR = 1.55, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.05–2.28, p = 0.026), denial (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.20–2.19, p = 0.001), and humor (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.11–1.84, p = 0.005). However, coping with positive reframing reduced the likelihood of depression (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52–0.94, p = 0.019). There was no significant association between depression and social support. Conclusion: The lower prevalence of depression reported in this study than in the prior Ugandan studies reflects that depression severity among caregivers in rural settings is less prevalent because of the fewer care‐associated burdens they experience. Therefore, establishing palliative care near the patients can be a protective factor for caregivers' depression. In addition, the role of social support and coping strategies in depression might be helpful in mental health strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although depression has adverse effects on all aspects of university students' quality of life, fewer studies have been conducted in Bangladesh; which was investigated herein. Design and Methods: A cross‐sectional study was carried out among 1844 students enrolled at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to investigate the explanatory power of the variables predicting depression in this population. Findings: Depression prevalence was 28.7%; and female gender, first‐year student status, substance use, past‐year physical and psychological illness, stressful life events, family psychiatric history, and personal suicidal behaviors were the main risk factors. The final model considering all the studied variables explained 23.5% of the variance in depression. Practical Implications: Effective psychological help services, awareness and intervention programs, and so on, should be implemented to reduce students' psychological burdens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As with other countries worldwide, lockdown measures during the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh were sudden and unexpected, and have the capacity to elicit serious psychological consequences. The present study examined the psychological consequences of COVID-19 in Bangladesh during the lockdown period.Methods: A nationwide online cross-sectional survey study recruited 10,067 individuals covering all 64 districts in Bangladesh via social media (April 1-10, 2020). The survey comprised questions concerning socio-demographics, knowledge of COVID-19, behavior towards COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, insomnia, depression, and suicidal ideation. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed to identify the risk factors depression and suicidal ideation. Geographical information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis was used to identify district-wise susceptibility to depression and suicidal ideation.Findings: The prevalence rate of depression and suicidal ideation related to COVID-19 was 33% and 5%%. Common risk factors for suicidal ideation and depression included being young, being female, being a cigarette smoker, having comorbid diseases, having high scores on the Fear COVID-19 Scale, and having insomnia symptoms. GIS-based maps detected high depression and suicidal ideation in the capital of Bangladesh and the districts near the capital as well as coastal areas where COVID-19 prevalence was high, as compared with districts with no reported cases.Limitations: Self-reported scales and cross-sectional design of the study.Conclusion: COVID-19 is associated with major psychological impact across Bangladesh, underlining the need of strategically located psychological support measures and improved access to mental health services, especially among women and younger people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]