COVID-19 impact on urban low-income individuals in Bangladesh: a qualitative content analysis

This article examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income city dwellers in Bangladesh. Methods considered a content analysis to investigate the urban poor’s ability to navigate the challenges brought by the pandemic. The study employed 286 news articles from national newspapers, spanning 17 March 2020 to 31 December 2020, collected via online portals and analysed using QSR NVivo 12. The content analysis revealed significant and comprehensive themes, including affected sectors, impacted demographics, shocks, stresses across different fields, and coping strategies. The study reflected on how the nationwide lockdown initially jolted the country and subsequently affected sectors, notably the ready-made garments (RMG), small and medium enterprises (SME), and informal sectors. The broader social and economic repercussions, such as income decline, food insecurity, limited access to healthcare and education, and exacerbation of existing inequalities, begged further investigation. This exploration could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the urban poor during the pandemic. This article highlighted the role of media in raising the voices of low-income individuals during the pandemic, advocating for legislative changes and community support. To enhance future pandemic management, it would be imperative to prioritise accurate reporting by the media, utilise technology for outreach, and foster collaboration with governments and public health organisations.