Depression and its associated factors among adult women in Bangladesh during the July 2024 revolution.

BACKGROUND

Political unrest heightens women's vulnerability to psychosocial distress and depression. The July 2024 revolution in Bangladesh caused major societal disruption, yet its mental health impact on women is poorly understood. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of depression among adult women during this period of unrest.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was conducted among 687 adult women using a structured, validated questionnaire. Depression was assessed through a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) with seven self-reported health outcomes. A PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 is considered depression; otherwise, no depression. A binomial Logistic regression and a Pearson Chi-square test were used to identify factors associated with depression.

RESULTS

Overall, 54.87% of women reported depressive symptoms, with the highest prevalence among young women aged 18-34 years, unmarried, university-educated, and urban residents. Nervousness (91.70%), loss of pleasure (86.03%), and anxiety (85.15%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Social media exposure contributed to depressive symptoms in 23.73% of participants. Nervousness symptoms had significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportions of depression (52.84%). Women with family members directly affected by unrest had 2.15 times higher odds of depression (AOR: 2.15, 95% CI 1.35-3.40). The self-reported symptoms suffocation (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.33-3.32), loss of pleasure (AOR = 3.59, 95% CI 1.91-6.74), and energy loss (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.13-2.55) were significantly associated with higher odds of depression, p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

During the July 2024 revolution, Bangladeshi women faced significant psychological distress. Targeted mental health support, monitoring social media impacts, and community counseling in unrest-affected areas are essential, while future research should examine long-term outcomes and effective interventions.