Coping with COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Study in Bangladesh

  1. K M Amran Hossain
  2. Karen Saunders
  3. Mohamed Sakel
  4. Lori Maria Walton
  5. Veena Raigangar
  6. Zakir Uddin
  7. Mohammad Anwar Hossain
  8. Asma Islam
  9. Faruq Ahmed
  10. Rafey Faruqui
  11. Tamanna Tasnim
  12. Shohag Rana
  13. Rubayet Shafin
  14. Md. Shahoriar Ahmed
  15. Md. Obaidul Haque
  16. Md. Feroz Kabir
  17. Mohammad Sohrab Hossain
  18. Iqbal Kabir Jahid
  19. Mst. Hosneara Yasmin
  20. Sonjit Kumar Chakrovorty
  21. Md. Shahadat Hossain
  22. Joty Paul
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Abstract

This study aims to investigate coping strategies used by Bangladeshi citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Prospective, cross-sectional survey of adults (N=2001) living in Bangladesh.

Methods

Participants were interviewed for socio-demographic data and completed the Bengali translated Brief-COPE Inventory. Statistical data analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 20).

Results

Participants (N=2001), aged 18 to 86 years, were recruited from eight administrative divisions within Bangladesh (mean age 31.85±14.2 years). Male to female participant ratio was 53.4% (n=1074) to 46.6% (n=927). Higher scores were reported for approach coping styles (29.83±8.9), with lower scores reported for avoidant coping styles (20.83 ± 6.05). Humor coping scores were reported at 2.68±1.3 and religion coping scores at 5.64±1.8. Both men and women showed similar coping styles. Multivariate analysis found a significant relationship between male gender and both humor and avoidant coping (p <.01). Male gender was found to be inversely related to both religion and approach coping (p <.01). Marital status and education were significantly related to all coping style domains (p<.01). Occupation was significantly related to approach coping (p <.01). Rural and urban locations differed significantly in participant coping styles (p <.01). Factor analysis revealed two cluster groups (Factor 1 and 2) comprised of unique combinations from all coping style domains.

Conclusion

Participants in this study coped with the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a combination of coping strategies. Factor 1 revealed both avoidant and approach coping strategies and Factor 2 revealed a combination of humor and avoidant coping strategies. Overall, a higher utilization of approach coping strategies was reported, which has previously been associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. Religion was found to be a coping strategy for all participants. Future research may focus on understanding resilience in vulnerable populations, including people with disability or with migrant or refugee status in Bangladesh.

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