{
  "abstract": "Background There is a significant health burden of depression and anxiety in Bangladesh, but there is limited data on depression and anxiety prevalence in the community using multi-site studies that include psychosocial determinants. The independent association of mental health stigma and help-seeking attitudes with risk should be explored. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety among adults in Bangladesh and examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, mental health stigma, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to June 20, 2026, across three divisions of Bangladesh (urban Dhaka, semi-urban Chattogram, rural Sylhet). Stratified multistage sampling recruited 400 adults aged 18–60 years from government primary care facilities. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively (cutoff ≥10 for moderate-to-severe). Mental health stigma was measured using the Community Attitudes Toward Mental Illness—Bangla (CAMI-B), and help-seeking attitudes using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help—Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). Multivariable binary logistic regression examined independent predictors of depression and anxiety, controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results Depression prevalence was 39.0% (n = 156; M = 8.13, SD = 5.72) and anxiety prevalence was 29.8% (n = 119; M = 7.21, SD = 5.14). In adjusted models, each additional unit of CAMI-B stigma increased odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.03–1.13], p = .001) and anxiety (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.02–1.12], p = .004). Each additional unit of positive help-seeking attitude reduced the odds of depression (aOR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.88–0.97], p = .001) and anxiety (aOR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.89–0.97], p = .001). Age predicted depression (aOR = 1.04 per year, p = .009) but not anxiety (aOR = 1.02, p = .439). Sex, education, and household income were not significant independent predictors in adjusted models. Descriptive analysis showed higher depression prevalence in rural (47.0%) versus urban (33.8%) settings, though rural residence was not significant in adjusted models. Conclusions Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among Bangladeshi adults. Mental health stigma and positive help-seeking attitudes emerge as independent psychological determinants, stronger than conventional sociodemographic factors. These modifiable psychosocial factors represent key intervention targets. Comprehensive strategies combining community-level stigma reduction, individual help-seeking enhancement, and healthcare system strengthening are essential to reduce depression and anxiety burden and address Bangladesh’s substantial mental health treatment gap.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "S. A. Maruf"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. H. Rahman"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. S. Azmin"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. A. Faria"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. A. M. Rashid"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. M. Billah"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. S. Siddique"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. B. Khan"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c7qemqdb9gz9e.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.12.26362706",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.12.26362706v1.full",
  "id": "c7qemqdb9gz9e",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.12.26362706v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "PDM-1.0",
  "licence_label": "Public domain",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "health systems and quality improvement"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3207|Mental Health Treatment and Access"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213538581",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.12.26362706v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-12",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c7qemqdb9gz9e.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:48Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.12.26362706",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.12.26362706v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:health systems and quality improvement",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety and Their Sociodemographic, Stigma, and Help-Seeking Correlates Among Adults in Bangladesh: A Multi-Site Cross-Sectional Study",
  "title_text": "Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety and Their Sociodemographic, Stigma, and Help-Seeking Correlates Among Adults in Bangladesh: A Multi-Site Cross-Sectional Study",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:48Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c7qemqdb9gz9e",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}