Psychological Distress among Bangladeshi Dental Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

S. M. Abdul Quader¹  Mohammad Tawfique Hossain Chowdhury²  Sujan Kanti Nath²  Ashek Elahi Noor²  Clopa Pina Podder²  Md. Shahed Jahan³  Ashik Abdullah Imon⁴  Farah Sabrina⁴  Muhammad Aziz Rahman⁵  Unisha Gainju⁶  Rina Niroula⁶ 

[1] Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Update Dental College, Dhaka 1711, Bangladesh;Department of Dental Public Health, Sapporo Dental College, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh;Department of Dental Public Health, Update Dental College, Dhaka 1711, Bangladesh;Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Update Dental College, Dhaka 1711, Bangladesh;School of Health, Federation University Australia, Berwick 3806, Australia;Update Dental College, Dhaka 1711, Bangladesh;

关键词: psychological distress;    fear;    coping;    COVID-19;    Bangladesh;    dental;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph19010176

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: Psychological sufferings are observed among dental students during their academic years, which had been intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This study assessed the levels and identified factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping experienced by dental undergraduate students in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross sectional online survey was conducted during October-November, 2021. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) were used in order to assess psychological distress, fear and coping strategies, respectively. Results: A total of 327 students participated; the majority (72%) were 19–23 years old and females (75%). One in five participants were infected with COVID-19 and 15% reported contact with COVID-19 cases. Negative financial impact (AOR 3.72, 95% CIs 1.28–10.8), recent or past COVID-19 infection, and contact with COVID-19 cases were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; but being a third year student (0.14, 0.04–0.55) and being satisfied about current social life (0.11, 0.03–0.33) were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Being a third year (0.17, 0.08–0.39) and a fourth year student (0.29, 0.12–0.71) were associated with lower levels of fear. Health care service use and feeling positive about life were associated with medium to high resilience coping. Conclusions: This study identified dental students in Bangladesh who were at higher risk of psychological distress, fear and coping during the ongoing pandemic. Development of a mental health support system within dental institutions should be considered in addition to the academic and clinical teaching.

【 授权许可】

Unknown