Factors of negative psychic state, anxiety, and depression of waterlogged farmers in Bangladesh: A farming disaster

Abstract

Farmers undergo severe mental pressure due to socioeconomic crises during waterlogging. This study explores the factors of mental agonies of waterlogged farmers. It was a quantitative study, and a survey research design was employed. Data were collected from 480 waterlogged farmers from March to May 2023 based on simple random sampling. A five-point Likert scale for negative psychic states and a four-point Likert scale for anxiety and depression were used to understand the measurement of the mental health state of the farmers. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics such as the Mann-Whitney U and the Kruskal-Wallis H tests to indicate the differences in negative psychic state, anxiety, and depression of the waterlogged farmers. The study revealed that 99% of the farmers were worried, nearly 72% were anxious about heavy rainfall, and more than 81% fell asleep while working during waterlogging. The negative psychic state of the farmers was moderate (19-29), anxiety was high (12≥), and depression was mild (≤7). Aged farmers were more nervous (z = -5.93) and tired (z = -5.08). Farmers living in Kaccha houses were found to be more restless (H = 15.89). Anxiety with heavy rainfall (z = -9.23) was more prevalent among those farmers who suffered from waterlogging for 6 months a year. Farmers who suffered ≤6 months of waterlogging (z = -5.41) were more depressed with poor appetite. Different types of psychosocial health problems (i.e., anxiety and depression) were prevalent among the waterlogged farmers, and heavy rainfall, living houses, and duration of waterlogging assisted these. The opportunities for employment and arrangements for medical treatment during waterlogging should be available for them. GO-NGO intervention can alleviate the waterlogged farmers' vulnerable situations.