Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among flood-affected women in Bangladesh: a case study following 2024 flash flood.

Floods are frequent climate-related disasters in Bangladesh, threatening physical safety, livelihoods, and mental health. Women are particularly vulnerable due to gendered roles, economic dependence, and caregiving duties. However, research on women's mental health outcomes following recent flash floods is limited. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 women aged 18 years and above in Fulgazi and Sonagazi upazilas of Feni District, Bangladesh, following the 2024 flash flood. Participants were recruited purposively from flood-affected communities, and data were collected at the beginning of 2025. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, and mental health was assessed using the DASS-21. Severe depression (71.1%), anxiety (48.8%), and stress (60.6%) were reported. Women aged 18-25 years reported lower depression and anxiety, while those aged over 55 years showed higher anxiety. Engagement in income-generating activities was associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Perceived social life satisfaction was strongly associated with satisfaction, whereas dissatisfaction was associated with higher psychological distress. Chronic disease status was significantly associated with mental health, with women having chronic conditions reporting higher anxiety, and those experiencing flood-related illness showing elevated depression, anxiety, and stress. Flood-related exposures also played a key role; the perceived lack of safety was associated with higher anxiety. Access to socioeconomic support during the flood was associated with lower anxiety and stress, while access to safe drinking water reduced anxiety. Food security and evacuation experiences also influenced outcomes, with the absence of food scarcity linked to lower depression and non-evacuation associated with higher depression. High levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were observed among women in flood-affected areas of Feni, Bangladesh, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive mental health support in disaster-prone settings.