Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40335139›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Gender differences in mental health help-seeking behaviour in Bangladesh: findings from a cross-sectional online survey.

Zunayed Al Azdi, Saiful Islam Saif, Sayedul Ashraf Kushal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, Lubaba Maaz, Shusama Reza, Sharmeen Yasmeen, Mainul Alam Chaklader, Yahia Md Amin

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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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  5. "International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Zunayed Al AzdiResearch and Development, LifeSpring Consultancy Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh zunayedazdi@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3896-875X
Saiful Islam SaifLifeSpring Consultancy Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-4564-6602
Sayedul Ashraf KushalLifeSpring Consultancy Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6155-6991
Mohammad Tajul IslamNorth South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8895-8349
Lubaba MaazLifeSpring Consultancy Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-2264-7120
Shusama RezaLifeSpring Consultancy Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Sharmeen YasmeenBangladesh Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Mainul Alam ChakladerBangladesh Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Yahia Md AminLifeSpring Consultancy Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-6936-6069

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMental health disparities persist as a pressing public health concern globally. Gender disparities in mental health are evident, with women disproportionately affected by conditions such as depression and anxiety. Despite the apparent need, studies from Bangladesh indicate that women are less likely to seek mental healthcare compared with men.

objectiveThis study aims to investigate gender differences in mental health help-seeking behaviour in Bangladesh.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 15 to 30 October 2021, targeting individuals with perceived mental health problems through the Facebook page of LifeSpring, a mental health and well-being organisation based in Bangladesh. Data (n=3031; women: 2140; men: 891) were collected using the JotForm online survey tool and analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression.

resultsThe majority of participants were female (70.6%), aged between 18 and 34 years (87.3%), and from urban areas (85.4%). Overall, 28.4% received non-professional help, with females at 30.9% and males at 22.3%. Additionally, 22.9% received help from professionals, with females at 20.8% and males at 28.1%. Notable disparities were observed in mental health help-seeking behaviour between genders. While females exhibit higher odds of seeking non-professional support (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.84, p value <0.001), they have lower odds of obtaining professional assistance compared with males (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.86, p value 0.001). Factors such as stigma, financial constraints and marital status significantly influenced help-seeking behaviours.

conclusionThis study contributes to our understanding of gender disparities in mental healthcare utilisation in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive approaches in mental healthcare service delivery.

Indexed as

Help-Seeking BehaviorMental DisordersMental Health ServicesPatient Acceptance of Health CareAdolescentAdultBangladeshCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealthcare DisparitiesHumansMaleMental HealthMiddle AgedSex FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesAttitudeBehaviorMENTAL HEALTHPSYCHIATRYPUBLIC HEALTH

Identifiers

PMID40335139
PMCPMC12056629

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.