Mental Health Status and its Determinants among Higher Socio-Economic Married Working Women in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Mental health is one of the most critical public health issues as it significantly contributes to the global disease burden worldwide. Objective: This study aims to assess the mental health status and its determinants among higher socio-economic married working women in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 560 higher socio-economic married working women in different organizations in Dhaka City from June to November 2019. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information, and the mental health status was measured using CES-D Scale. Results: The odds of poor mental health were eleven times higher in participants that were always overloaded with work [AOR=10.9], more than nine times more likely among those that always had family members expecting the same work as non-working women [AOR=9.4], and eight times more likely in participants that had a lot of challenges from family/relatives/neighbors for pursuing job [AOR=8.2]. Conclusion: Unfavorable working conditions, work overload,inadequate support from the organization and family have all been linked together to result in poor mental health. Significant efforts and resources are required to conduct both preventative and control programs.