Self‐reported mental health of arsenicosis patients and its association with patients' perceptions and satisfactions of arsenicosis‐related issues: Evidence from an arsenic‐affected area of Bangladesh

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionBangladesh is the most arsenic‐affected country in history. Thousands of arsenicosis patients suffer from multiple health sequelae and social problems such as discrimination, stigmatization, and family problems. The present study reports the mental health of arsenicosis patients and its associations with variables reflecting arsenicosis‐related perceptions and satisfactions.MethodsWe analysed the data of 171 arsenicosis patients collected in 2009. The mental health of patients was assessed by asking “How do you rate your overall mental health?” Each respondent was asked to select only one option: “excellent”, “very good”, “good”, “fair”, or “poor”. We dichotomized the mental health (outcome) variable as “poor” = 1 and “else” = 0. Independent variables reflected arsenicosis‐related perceptions and satisfactions. We used multivariable adjusted logistic regressions to model poor mental health.ResultsThe rate of poor mental health was 28.1% among respondents, and was significantly higher among patients who perceived that arsenicosis is a permanent disease, society does not expect arsenicosis patients to be involved in social activities and poverty could increase the risk of arsenicosis. Similarly, the rate of poor mental health was remarkably higher among patients who reported dissatisfaction with personal income, support from family members, and support from Non‐Government Organizations/government health services. Almost all of the above‐mentioned variables remained significant in multivariable adjusted logistic regression models.DiscussionMore than 25% of arsenicosis patients have poor mental health. Variables reflecting arsenicosis‐related perceptions and satisfactions are strongly associated with poor mental health. Future strategies should consider these findings to improve the mental health arsenicosis patients.