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. 2024 Feb 29:11:e31.
doi: 10.1017/gmh.2024.27. eCollection 2024.

Associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in Bangkok, Thailand and Mumbai, India: Cross-sectional survey findings

Carmen H Logie  1   2   3   4 , Peter A Newman  1 , Zerihun Admassu  1 , Frannie MacKenzie  1 , Venkatesan Chakrapani  5 , Suchon Tepjan  6 , Murali Shunmugam  5 , Pakorn Akkakanjanasupar  7
Affiliations

Associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in Bangkok, Thailand and Mumbai, India: Cross-sectional survey findings

Carmen H Logie et al. Glob Ment Health (Camb). .

Abstract

Background: Water insecurity disproportionally affects socially marginalized populations and may harm mental health. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons are at the nexus of social marginalization and mental health disparities; however, they are understudied in water insecurity research. Yet LGBTQ persons likely have distinct water needs. We explored associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes among LGBTQ adults in Mumbai, India and Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey with a sample of LGBTQ adults in Mumbai and Bangkok assessed associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes, including anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, loneliness, alcohol misuse, COVID-19 stress and resilience. We conducted multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses to examine associations between water insecurity and mental health outcomes.

Results: Water insecurity prevalence was 28.9% in Mumbai and 18.6% in Bangkok samples. In adjusted analyses, in both sites, water insecurity was associated with higher likelihood of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, COVID-19 stress, alcohol misuse and loneliness. In Mumbai, water insecurity was also associated with reduced resilience.

Conclusion: Water insecurity was common among LGBTQ participants in Bangkok and Mumbai and associated with poorer well-being. Findings signal the importance of assessing water security as a stressor harmful to LGBTQ mental health.

Keywords: India; LGBTQ; Thailand; mental health; urban; water insecurity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare none.

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