Determinants of Psychological Distress among the Healthcare Professionals Serving in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Depression among the healthcare professionals is a growing public health issue globally. A family history of sickness, genetics, biological variables, medical conditions including diabetes and heart disease, and a variety of social, psychological, and physical factors at work can all contribute to the complex issue of depression among the healthcare professionals. Objective: To evaluate various factors for the development of psychological distress in terms of depression among the healthcare professionals at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2025 to December 2025 among purposively selected 262 healthcare professionals working at various centers and departments of CMH Dhaka. Data were collected through self-administered and pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Depression and its determinants were assessed using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12. Data were analyzed using statistical software. Results: With a male preponderance, the average (±SD) age of the participants was 37.03 (±9.20) years. The significant predictors for the development of depression among the respondents were being a doctor (OR 16.677, 95% CI=1.228- 226.411) and being a healthcare professional performing overtime (OR 3.035, 95% CI=1.395- 6.603) duty. Conclusion:  Our study revealed that overtime duty and doctors were the main determinants for the development of psychological distress in terms of depression. So, sharing of duty among the doctors and  provision of appropriate remedial measures like adequate rest, leisure activities and development of situations so that the doctors could enjoy quality time with their friends and families may decrease the  issues of depression.  Bangladesh Armed Forces Med J Vol 59 No (1) June 2026, pp16-24