Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health and academic condition of college and university students of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, a global public health emergency, resulted in the prolonged closure of educational institutions worldwide, substantially affecting students’ physical health, mental well-being, and academic conditions. This cross-sectional study examined the impacts of the pandemic on college and university students in Bangladesh using data collected from 220 participants in Savar Upazila between June and August 2021. The findings indicated that 32.3% of the students had been infected with COVID-19, with fever, cough, and loss of smell or taste reported as the most common symptoms. Academic disruption was highly prevalent, as 81.4% of the participants experienced a decline in academic performance due to institutional closures, challenges related to online learning, poor internet connectivity, and inadequate educational resources. Mental health conditions were also adversely affected, with elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and sadness reported among the students. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant associations between COVID-19 infection and mental health status (χ2 = 11.001, p = 0.001), as well as between mental health status and academic performance (χ2 = 14.51, p < 0.001). These findings underscore the critical need for targeted policy and institutional interventions to strengthen students’ psychological well-being and academic resilience during pandemics and comparable public health crises.