SM Abu Hena Mostafa Alim

Bio: SM Abu Hena Mostafa Alim is an academic researcher from Rajshahi Medical College. The author has contributed to research in topics: DASS & Premature ejaculation. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 58 citations.

Translation of DASS 21 into Bangla and validation among medical students

Abstract: Standard scale to assess the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among MBBS students are essential to take necessary steps to treat or prevent any psychiatric morbidity. But there was no such convenient tool in Bangla to measure the stated symptoms. With an objective to obtain a convenient scale to measure severity of above symptoms, short version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21) was translated into Bangla and the study was carried out to validate this Bangla version with permission from the author of the original instrument. Two translations and back translations were carried out. A harmonized version was produced after meetings by persons involved in translation process in meetings. After pretesting on ten students and reviewing by panel of experts, finalized Bangla version of DASS 21 (DASS 21 -BV) was obtained. A cross sectional study was carried out among MBBS students of Pabna Medical College, Pabna using purposive sampling technique to validate this scale. They were given both Bangla and English version of the scale 3 to 7 days apart. Analysis was done on 15 samples. Correlation for depression subscale was 0.976, anxiety subscale was 0.917 and stress subscale was 0.931. Correlation was significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). Cronbach’s Alpha for Depression, Anxiety and Stress subscales were 0.987, 0.957, 0.964 respectively. This Validated Bangla version of DASS 21 can be used to measure severity of depression among medical students and persons having similar academic background treatable. Bang J Psychiatry Dec 2014; 28(2): 67-70

Assessment of depression, anxiety and stress among first year MBBS students of a public medical college, Bangladesh

Abstract: Medical students confront significant academic, psychosocial and existential stressors for coping with new college and schedule,. So assessment of the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students are essential to take necessary steps to treat or prevent any psychiatric morbidity. The objective of the study was to assess depression, anxiety and stress among the first year MBBS students. This was a cross sectional and descriptive study conducted in Khulna Medical College, Bangladesh from December 2009 to July 2010. For this purpose, 105 students fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken as sample. They filled up personal data and the short-form Bangla version of DASS (DASS-21 BV) scale. The results showed that, the mean age of students was 18.8 years with male predominance (54.3%). Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were found among 54.3%, 64.8% and 59.0% of students respectively. Eighty five (81%) students either had depression, anxiety or stress alone or in combination. Combination of depression, anxiety and stress was highest (36.2%). No significant association was found between gender difference and depression, anxiety or stress. Age was positively correlated with depression (p=0.004) and stress (p=0.001). Percentage of 1st year MBBS students suffering from depression, anxiety and stress were very high. Adequate psychiatric services should be provided to manage these symptoms among medical students. Bang J Psychiatry June 2015; 29(1): 23-29

Psycho-social factors associated with premature ejaculation among the patients attending in a tertiary level psychiatric hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract: Premature ejaculation (PE) has been considered as the most common male sexual dysfunction affecting men and their partners. The objective of the study was to find out the proportion of PE, associated psycho-social factors and psychiatric co- morbidities among the patients attended in the Sexual Dysfunction Clinic of National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from August 2017 to June 2018. For this purpose 280 male patients with complaints of sexual dysfunction aged from 18 to 60 years were selected by convenient sampling technique. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire containing socio-demographic variables, Bangla version of the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), Bangla version of the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS 21-BV) were applied to assess their PE and associated depression, anxiety and stress respectively. The results showed that, mean (+SD) age of the respondents was 38.8 (+8.44) years and 26.4% of the respondents were found to have PE. Presence of PE was slightly higher (55.4%) among the older age group (aged 41-60 years) than the younger age group (aged 18-40 years). Chi-square test showed significant association with religion, smoking status and psychiatric co-morbidities with presence of PE (p<0.05 for all comparisons). This high prevalence and associated psycho- social factors illustrate the need for promoting awareness and development of standardized methods for diagnosis, assessment and treatment of PE. Bang J Psychiatry December 2017; 31(2): 27-31

Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Bangladeshi university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aimed at identifying the determinants of depression and anxiety. A total of 476 university students living in Bangladesh participated in this cross-sectional web-based survey. A standardized e-questionnaire was generated using the Google Form, and the link was shared through social media-Facebook. The information was analyzed in three consecutive levels, such as univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Students were experiencing heightened depression and anxiety. Around 15% of the students reportedly had moderately severe depression, whereas 18.1% were severely suffering from anxiety. The binary logistic regression suggests that older students have greater depression (OR = 2.886, 95% CI = 0.961-8.669). It is also evident that students who provided private tuition in the pre-pandemic period had depression (OR = 1.199, 95% CI = 0.736-1.952). It is expected that both the government and universities could work together to fix the academic delays and financial problems to reduce depression and anxiety among university students.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the adult population in Bangladesh: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Abstract: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has imposed threats on both physical and mental health since its outbreak. This study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among a representative sample of home-quarantined Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional design was used with an online survey completed by a convenience sample recruited via social media. A total of 1,427 respondents were recruited, and their mental health was assessed by the DASS-21 measure. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms was 33.7% and 57.9%, respectively, and 59.7% reported mild to extremely severe levels of stress. Perceptions that the pandemic disrupted life events, affected mental health, jobs, the economy and education, predictions of a worsening situation, and uncertainty of the health care system capacities were significantly associated with poor mental health outcomes. Multivariate logistic regressions showed that sociodemographic factors and perceptions of COVID-19 significantly predict mental health outcomes. These findings warrant the consideration of easily accessible low-intensity mental health interventions during and beyond this pandemic.

Psychological responses during the COVID-19 outbreak among university students in Bangladesh.

Abstract: Mental health problems in students are considered a public health challenge. We assessed the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) with the DASS-21, as well as associated factors, among university students in Bangladesh early in the COVID-19 outbreak. We hypothesized high levels of DAS and their associations with previously reported factors (e.g., poor sleep, lack of exercise, heavy internet use) and those linked to disadvantage (e.g., low monthly family income). We also enquired about participants' satisfaction with their pursuit of their academic studies while living under COVID-19 restrictions. An internet-based survey was conducted during the month of April 2020, involving 3,122 Bangladeshi university students aged 18 to 29 years (59.5% males; mean age 21.4±2 years). Prevalence estimates of depression, anxiety and stress were, respectively, 76.1%, 71.5% and 70.1% for at least mild symptoms, 62.9%, 63.6% and 58.6% for at least moderate symptoms, 35.2%, 40.3%, and 37.7% for at least severe symptoms and 19.7%, 27.5% and 16.5% for at least very severe symptoms. The present estimates of DAS were more prevalent than in previous pre-COVID-19 studies among Bangladeshi university students. Regression analyses with DASS-21-score as a dependent variable revealed associations with factors mostly as hypothesized. The largest effect size on DAS symptoms was related to students' satisfaction with their academic studies during the pandemic. As this survey used cross-sectional and self-reported methods, causality cannot be inferred. Mental health monitoring of students attempting to cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak may be useful and feasible.

Psychometric properties of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)

Abstract: Depression, anxiety and stress are recognised as global public health problems especially in developing countries. Early detection of these disorders is essential to provide psychological interventions for individuals experiencing these negative emotional conditions. This study determined the Nigerian psychometric properties for the 21-item version of the depression, anxiety and stress scale among a sample of medical students. Two hundred and forty medical students from the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria completed the depression anxiety and stress scale, state trait anxiety inventory and self-rating depression scale. The reliability, discriminative, concurrent and convergent properties were determined. The reliability of DASS-21 showed that it has excellent Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.81, 0.89 and 0.78 for the subscales of depressive, anxiety and stress respectively. It was found to have excellent internal consistency, discriminative, concurrent and convergent validities. The depression and anxiety subscales of DASS-21 had good correlations with self-rating depression scale and state trait anxiety inventory. The DASS-21 was found to have commendable psychometric properties. It is reliable, valid and easy to administer. Its utility by clinicians will enhance the diagnoses of depression, anxiety and stress among university students. Keywords: DASS-21, depression, anxiety, Stress, psychometric properties, Lagos, Nigeria