The icddr,b survey also found that 91 percent families considered themselves financially unstable during the period from late March. During the lockdown, 47 percent families saw their earnings drop below the international poverty line of Tk 160 or $1.9 per person per day, the study says. The lockdown also had mental health impacts, with women showing an increase in depressive symptoms, and 68 percent of participants reporting their anxiety level had increased. “Comparing how families were faring before and during lockdown, we could determine the impact lockdown had on them. What we observed were substantial financial and mental health pressures during lockdown,” said Dr Sant-Rayn Pasricha, associate professor at WEHI and co-author of the study.

Source: bd News24 August 26, 2020 19:41 UTC