Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the physical, mental and social health of the suburban and rural adult population in Bangladesh

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant impact on health worldwide. Adverse effect of COVID-19 on health-related quality of life is significant. This study aimed to find out the impact of COVID-19 on the physical, mental and social health of suburban and rural adult population in Bangladesh. Methods: A suburban and a rural community were purposively selected. The suburban and rural areas were located about 40 km and 130 km north and north-east of Dhaka city respectively. People aged ≥20 years in the selected communities were enrolled in the study. The investigation procedure included socio-demographic and clinical history, anthropometry, and clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires were used for assessing mental and social health respectively. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding the prevention and transmission of COVID-19 was assessed by a validated questionnaire and interview. Results: Total 385 individuals (suburban=201, rural=184) were enrolled in the study. Out of 385, 116 and 269 were male and female, respectively. Out of total 385 participants, depression, anxiety and stress were present in 113 (29.4%), 144 (37.4%) and 70 (18.2%) respectively, while 210 (54.5%) were normal. Extremely severe depression, anxiety and stress were present in 3.6%, 6% and 0.5%, respectively. Depression and anxiety did not differ between suburban and rural populations, though stress was significantly higher among the suburban (p<0.05) population. Social functioning was limited in more than 50% as opposed to excellent (5.5%) or good (39.8%). Almost 60% of the participants had to cut-down schedule of heavy work. Moderate to minimal physical activities were less affected, though weakness and nervousness predominantly hindered socialization. About the prevention and transmission of COVID-19, awareness and attitude were found satisfactory (≥45%), though practice was neglected (<30%). Conclusions: This is the first study in Bangladesh to report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical, mental, and social health of adult suburban and rural populations. Physical and mental disabilities were evident among the studied people. Social functioning was affected by COVID-19 equally in suburban and rural participants. A well-designed cohort study is needed to obtain a real picture of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on human health and society. IMC J Med Sci. 2024; 18(1):007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.18.007 *Correspondence: MA Sayeed, Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Ibrahim Medical College, 1/A Ibrahim Sarani, Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; Email: sayeed1950@gmail.com