Mental health and post-traumatic stress among unprivileged people in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic in Southwest Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely influenced the mental health of individuals in developing countries, whereas the impoverished urban population has been affected the most due to unattainable mental healthcare and the societal stigma surrounding mental illness. This research aims to assess the mental health status of slum dwellers in the aftermath of COVID-19. Psychological well-being, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression symptoms were evaluated through structured face-to-face interviews with 404 individuals from July to September 2023. More than half of the participants experienced poor mental well-being, while women tended to have high symptoms of depression (35%) and PTSD (18%). Slum dwellers who experienced food scarcity and used unimproved or community latrines during the pandemic were more likely to report symptoms of PTSD. Furthermore, those who experienced any crime or domestic violence (OR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.08-4.45) and lost their jobs (OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.04-2.33) during the pandemic were more likely to report poor mental health. Therefore, the vulnerable population urgently needs targeted interventions, such as skill-building opportunities for the unemployed, gender-segregated sanitation facilities and training programs to support their mental health. Prioritizing mental health awareness campaigns and establishing strong social safety nets can help communities become more resilient to future pandemics and crises.