Assessment and Analysis of Mental Stress and Perceived Factors using DASS-21 Questionnaire among the Government Doctors of Bangladesh

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) among the government doctors of Bangladesh are a substantial public health issue & might induced by various perceived mental stressors, such as relationship conflict, financial constraints, concern regarding professional integrity, to be established, insecurity, coping incapability, lack of guidance & suffering with NCD. Objective: The study aimed to find out status of DAS & predict the perceived factors for DAS. Methods & materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the government doctors (n=217) of Bangladesh utilizing DASS 21 questionnaire & convenient sampling technique to measure the depression, anxiety and stress status & ordered logistic regression analysis was performed to find out the associated significant perceived predictors. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 42.9%, 53% and 43.8% respectively. Middle aged doctors (84.8%) are more prone to develop depression. The most significant predictors found responsible for depression, anxiety and stress were concern over professional integrity (b = 0.8), to be established (b = 0.75, 1.58, 1.26), insecurity (b = 0.71, 0.66) and relationship conflict (b = 1.03). 35.5% (77 individuals) were suffering with various non-communicable diseases, notably Hypertension, DM, IHD & Bronchial Asthma. The alarming situation is that Hypertension affected 54 individuals (≈25%). Conclusion: The study revealed that a substantial percentage of government doctors of Bangladesh have been suffering from depression, anxiety or stress symptoms and predominantly affected the middle-aged. In addition to academic, personal & professional stress, the significant perceived predictors responsible for creating DAS are concern about professional integrity & to be established, insecurity & familial and/ personal relationship conflict. Another alarming situation is the presence of Hypertension & other NCDs which deserves special attention to discern association with DAS related disorders. The policy-makers and the concerned authorities should come forward and take initiative to trace, identify and address the professionally challenging perceived risk factors in order to mitigate or dissolve the growing mental health issues among the government doctors of Bangladesh.