Mental Health Status Among Healthcare Professionals in a Master of Public Health Program at a Higher Education Institution in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals pursuing higher education experience psychological distress due to combined professional and academic pressures. However, evidence regarding their mental health status in Bangladesh is limited. This study aimed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress among healthcare professionals enrolled in a Master of Public Health program in Bangladesh. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 280 healthcare professionals engaged as public health students at a private university in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Demographic, clinical, organizational and mental health related data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Mental health status was assessed by DASS-21 Scale. Regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between outcome and exposure variables. RESULTS: The results showed that 26.4% of respondents were depressed, 35.4% were anxious, and 16.4% were stressed. Depression was significantly higher among single individuals (AOR, 4.06; 95% CI 1.69-9.69; P=0.01), younger respondents (AOR, 2.48; 95% CI 1.23-5.04; P=0.01), those with smaller families (AOR, 2.91; 95% CI 1.51-5.59; P=0.01), and those with comorbidities (AOR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.34-4.62; P=0.01). Anxiety was more prevalent in females (AOR, 3.12; 95% CI 1.29-7.52; P=0.01), singles (AOR, 2.64; 95% CI 1.10-6.35; P=0.03), and had ≤1 child (AOR, 1.90; 95% CI 1.06-3.41; P=0.03) and those comorbidities (AOR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.34-4.62; P=0.01). Stress was higher in younger individuals (AOR, 2.89; 95% CI 1.27-6.63; P = 0.01), those with smaller families (AOR, 2.23; 95% CI 1.09-4.59; P=0.03), and those with comorbidities (AOR, 2.46; 95% CI 1.26-4.79; P=0.01). CONCLUSION: A substantial prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was observed among healthcare professionals. Depression was associated with single, younger age, smaller families, and comorbidities. Anxiety was linked to female, single, having ≤1 child, and comorbidities, while stress related to younger age, smaller families, and comorbid conditions. The findings highlight the need for mental health screening, counseling, and awareness programs for healthcare professionals and public health students.