Prevalence of depression, anxiety and associated factors among school going adolescents in Bangladesh: Findings from a cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247898
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01T18:12:30Z
• Authors: Md. Saiful Islam; Md. Estiar Rahman; Mst. Sabrina Moon...; Jim van Os
• Keywords: Male; Factors Affecting Student Engagement in Education; Economics; Macroeconomics; Social Sciences; Logistic regression; Anxiety; Patient Health Questionnaire; Adolescents; 0302 clinical medicine; Sociology; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Pathology; Psychology; 10. No inequality; Internal medicine; Psychiatry; Bangladesh; Schools; Depression; Depression (economics); 4. Education; Q; Depressive symptoms; R; Emotion Regulation and Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents; 1. No poverty; Anxiety Disorders; FOS: Sociology; 3. Good health; FOS: Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Mental Health; Medicine; Female; Mental health; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Research Article; Adolescent; Science; General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology; Clinical psychology; Education; 03 medical and health sciences; Health Sciences; Humans; Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Offspring; General; Students; Cross-sectional study; Demography; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adolescent Behavior

Background Common mental disorders in early life represent a major concern as they become more complex and intense with transition into adolescence. Despite global recognition of the significance of adolescent mental health, it remains a neglected area in research and health policy in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety among school going adolescents in Bangladesh.

Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 563 students aged 13–18 years at selected schools (secondary and higher secondary) in Dhaka City. After providing written informed consent, participants completed a survey examining socio-demographic variables, along with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between variables under examination.

Results The prevalence rates of moderate to severe levels of depression and anxiety were 26.5% and 18.1%, respectively. Based on multivariable analyses, unsatisfactory sleep (AOR = 3.17; 95% CI = 1.81–5.53, p < .001), cigarette smoking (AOR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.01–3.97, p = .048), and anxiety (AOR = 10.47; 95% CI = 6.11–17.95, p < .001) were associated with depression. Anxiety was associated with being 15–16 years (AOR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.18–6.00, p = .018), not having good perceived relationships with friends (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.24–3.56, p = .006) and depression (AOR = 10.22; 95% CI = 6.01–17.38, p < .001).

Conclusions Depression and anxiety were prevalent among school going adolescents in Bangladesh. The findings suggest epidemiological data can direct policy-level decisions regarding evaluation, prevention, and intervention of mental health conditions among school going adolescents in Bangladesh.