In:
PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 2, No. 9 ( 2022-9-30), p. e0001110-
Abstract:
Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is high in rural Bangladesh. Given the complex multi-directional relationships between NCDs, COVID-19 infections and control measures, exploring pandemic impacts in this context is important. We conducted two cross-sectional surveys of adults ≥30-years in rural Faridpur district, Bangladesh, in February to March 2020 (survey 1, pre-COVID-19), and January to March 2021 (survey 2, post-lockdown). A new random sample of participants was taken at each survey. Anthropometric measures included: blood pressure, weight, height, hip and waist circumference and fasting and 2-hour post-glucose load blood glucose. An interviewer-administered questionnaire included: socio-demographics; lifestyle and behavioural risk factors; care seeking; self-rated health, depression and anxiety assessments. Differences in NCDs, diet and exercise were compared between surveys using chi2 tests, logistic and linear regression; sub-group analyses by gender, age and socio-economic tertiles were conducted. We recruited 950 (72.0%) participants in survey 1 and 1392 (87.9%) in survey 2. The percentage of the population with hypertension increased significantly from 34.5% (95% CI: 30.7, 38.5) to 41.5% (95% CI: 38.2, 45.0; p-value = 0.011); the increase was more pronounced in men. Across all measures of self-reported health and mental health, there was a significant improvement between survey 1 and 2. For self-rated health, we observed a 10-point increase (71.3 vs 81.2, p-value = 0.005). Depression reduced from 15.3% (95% CI: 8.4, 26.1) to 6.0% (95% CI: 2.7, 12.6; p-value = 0.044) and generalised anxiety from 17.9% (95% CI: 11.3, 27.3) to 4.0% (95% CI: 2.0, 7.6; p-value 〈 0.001). No changes in fasting blood glucose, diabetes status, BMI or abdominal obesity were observed. Our findings suggest both positive and negative health outcomes following COVID-19 lockdown in a rural Bangladeshi setting, with a concerning increase in hypertension. These findings need to be further contextualised, with prospective assessments of indirect effects on physical and mental health and care-seeking.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2767-3375
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgph.0001110.r005
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
3101394-6
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