Psychological Well-Being of Parents with Hospitalized COVID-19 Infected Children in Bangladesh

Abstract

Objective: Not only has COVID-19 caused unprecedented changes in every sphere of human lives, but it has also simultaneously triggered a wide range of psychological problems within the community. Naturally, parents are prone to being anxious about their children amidst this pandemic. This becomes particularly serious when their children are being affected and hospitalized due to exposure to COVID-19, leading to increased anxiety and depression. Our study aims to assess the level of anxiety and depression and the predictor factors for depression and anxiety among the parents of hospitalized COVID-19-infected children. Method: This cross-sectional study incorporated 160 parents of COVID-19 infected children who were admitted to Mugda Medical College Hospital, Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, and Kurmitola General Hospital between April 2020 and October 2020. Result: The study has revealed that among the 160 participants, every one in five parents (19.37%) was suffering from moderate to severe anxiety, while 43.10% of parents were suffering from moderate and moderately severe depression. More than fifty per cent of the respondents were suffering from minimal anxiety (54.38%), while 43.80% of parents were suffering from minimal depression. City dwellers were more prone to developing both anxiety and depression. Conclusion: About 43.1% of parents suffered from moderate and moderately severe depression, while 54.38% of parents suffered from minimal anxiety. These parents need to be addressed, and proper support & intervention must be ensured.