Physical and mental health status of women in disaster-affected areas in Bangladesh

Fatema, SR; Rice, K; Rock, A; Islam, MS; East, L; Usher, K

Physical and mental health status of women in disaster-affected areas in Bangladesh

Fatema, SR Rice, K Rock, A Islam, MS East, L Usher, K

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Natural Hazards, 2023, 117, (3), pp. 2715-2733
Issue Date:: 2023-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fatema, SR
dc.contributor.author	Rice, K
dc.contributor.author	Rock, A
dc.contributor.author	Islam, MS
dc.contributor.author	East, L
dc.contributor.author	Usher, K https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9686-5003
dc.date.accessioned	2023-09-18T03:03:00Z
dc.date.available	2023-09-18T03:03:00Z
dc.date.issued	2023-07-01
dc.identifier.citation	Natural Hazards, 2023, 117, (3), pp. 2715-2733
dc.identifier.issn	0921-030X
dc.identifier.issn	1573-0840
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/172154
dc.description.abstract	Despite the increased risk of disasters in the Bangladesh, there is a dearth of research about women’s physical and mental health vulnerability following disasters. This study aimed to explore the physical and mental health status and associated risk factors of women in recurrent disaster-affected areas of Bangladesh. Participants (N = 408) were recruited using systematic random sampling from two purposively selected disaster-prone areas (Upazilas of Sagata and Sarankhola), using a structured questionnaire conducted in person. Physical and mental health status was assessed using the health Short Form 12 (SF-12) measure that is comprised of both physical health (PCS-12) and mental health (MCS-12) subscales. Of the 408 participants, the mean scores on PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales were 43.85 ± 28.04 and 37.70 ± 27.29, respectively, which were strongly correlated, r =.71, p <.001. Overall, 65.9% and 63.0% of total participants scored below the validated cut-off of PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales which indicates both poor physical and mental health. The results indicated that physical and mental health were significantly poorer for the participants who witnessed casualties, lost family members or relatives, were relocated to shelters and sacrificed food during disasters. Moreover, poorer mental health scores were identified among participants who were physically injured and/or consulted a medical practitioner during or after the disaster. Accurate health knowledge is crucial for adequate and effective disaster preparation to decrease the health impacts on women in disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. Research in this area is needed, and strategies to improve the public health status of women are warranted.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation.ispartof	Natural Hazards
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11069-023-05964-5
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0401 Atmospheric Sciences, 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience, 1701 Psychology
dc.subject.classification	Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
dc.subject.classification	3709 Physical geography and environmental geoscience
dc.title	Physical and mental health status of women in disaster-affected areas in Bangladesh
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	117
utslib.for	0401 Atmospheric Sciences
utslib.for	0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-09-18T03:02:59Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	117
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

Despite the increased risk of disasters in the Bangladesh, there is a dearth of research about women’s physical and mental health vulnerability following disasters. This study aimed to explore the physical and mental health status and associated risk factors of women in recurrent disaster-affected areas of Bangladesh. Participants (N = 408) were recruited using systematic random sampling from two purposively selected disaster-prone areas (Upazilas of Sagata and Sarankhola), using a structured questionnaire conducted in person. Physical and mental health status was assessed using the health Short Form 12 (SF-12) measure that is comprised of both physical health (PCS-12) and mental health (MCS-12) subscales. Of the 408 participants, the mean scores on PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales were 43.85 ± 28.04 and 37.70 ± 27.29, respectively, which were strongly correlated, r =.71, p <.001. Overall, 65.9% and 63.0% of total participants scored below the validated cut-off of PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales which indicates both poor physical and mental health. The results indicated that physical and mental health were significantly poorer for the participants who witnessed casualties, lost family members or relatives, were relocated to shelters and sacrificed food during disasters. Moreover, poorer mental health scores were identified among participants who were physically injured and/or consulted a medical practitioner during or after the disaster. Accurate health knowledge is crucial for adequate and effective disaster preparation to decrease the health impacts on women in disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. Research in this area is needed, and strategies to improve the public health status of women are warranted.

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