Associations of Internet Use and Pregnancy Loss with Depression and Anxiety among Women in Bangladesh: Insights from the 2022 BDHS
Published in Public Health and Behavioural Sciences & Psychology
Background
Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, are significant concerns among Bangladeshi women. While previous studies focused on individual risk factors, there has been little research exploring the combined impact of pregnancy loss and internet use on mental health.
Methods
-
Data: 19,987 ever-married women from BDHS 2022.
-
Measures: Depression (PHQ-9), Anxiety (GAD-7).
-
Analysis: Stepwise survey-weighted multinomial logistic regression and spatial analysis to detect regional patterns.
Key Findings
-
Pregnancy loss is linked to higher odds of depression and anxiety:
-
One loss: Anxiety AOR = 1.31; Depression AOR = 1.29
-
Two or more losses: Anxiety AOR = 1.82; Depression AOR = 1.43
-
-
Internet use in the past 12 months is associated with lower odds of depression (AOR = 0.77) and anxiety (AOR = 0.65).
-
Regional disparities: Rangpur shows the highest burden of mental health symptoms, while Dhaka has the lowest.
Implications for Research and Practice
-
Enhancing reproductive health programs and improving internet access can potentially reduce depression and anxiety among women in high-burden regions.
-
Spatially-informed interventions may help target mental health resources more effectively.
-
Links
-
Full paper:
-
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
-
Follow the Topic
-
BMC Women's Health
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the health and wellbeing of adolescent girls and women, with a particular focus on the physical, mental, and emotional health of women in developed and developing nations.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Malnutrition and women's health
Addressing malnutrition among women is critical for improving health outcomes and promoting gender equality. Recent advances in research have highlighted the need for gender-sensitive approaches to nutrition that take into account the unique biological and social factors affecting women. Interventions aimed at improving dietary habits during pregnancy, lactation, and adolescence have shown promise in enhancing health outcomes for both mothers and children. By continuing to investigate these areas, we can develop targeted strategies that empower women and promote their health and well-being, advance our understanding of nutritional needs, tailor dietary guidelines and community-based programs, therefore addressing the nutritional challenges faced by women and girls.
The topics of this Collection include, but are not limited to the following:
• Impact of malnutrition on reproductive health
• Nutritional needs across the life stages of girls and women
• Dietary patterns and health outcomes for women and girls
• Community-based interventions for women's nutrition
• Nutrients requirements for women under disease conditions
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Sep 10, 2026
Genetics and women's mental health
Investigating the genetic basis of women's mental health is vital for several reasons. Advances in psychiatric genetics have provided insights into the heritability of mental health disorders, enabling researchers to identify specific genetic variants linked to conditions like depression. By deepening our understanding of these connections, we can develop more personalized treatment approaches and preventative strategies. Furthermore, this research can help dismantle stigma and promote awareness around mental health issues that disproportionately affect women.
If research in this field continues to progress, we may witness significant advancements in precision medicine tailored to women patients. Enhanced genetic screening could lead to early detection of vulnerabilities to mental health disorders, allowing for proactive interventions. Additionally, collaborative research efforts may uncover novel therapeutic targets, facilitating the development of innovative treatments that address the unique needs of women.
- Genetic and epigenetic risk factors for mental disorders in women
- Polygenic influences on women's mental health
- The role of hormones in psychiatric genetics
- Advances in genetic screening for mental health disorders
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being, and SDG 5: Gender Equality.
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Mar 13, 2026
Please sign in or register for FREE
If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in