Sociodemographic correlates and associated factors of depression and anxiety among internally displaced adults in Ogoja, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Displaced persons in Nigeria experience various difficulties at different stages of their displacement, including mental and physical problems. These experiences have been associated with different types of mental disorders. AIMS: This study sought to identify sociodemographic correlates and other factors associated with depression and anxiety among internally displaced adults in Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probability and probability sampling techniques. Internally displaced adults (n=335) were identified in Ogoja locations with a high prevalence of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Their mental health symptoms were assessed using the Common Mental Disorder Questionnaire, and a semistructured questionnaire was employed to collect data on sociodemographic and displacement-related characteristics. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, χ(2) analysis and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of subtypes was 66.0% for anxiety disorder and 73.4% for depression. Factors found to be significant in each bivariate χ(2) analysis were modelled for each outcome. The multivariate analysis revealed that prolonged displacement (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.64; p=0.048), reduced family size (AOR=0.28; p<0.001) and fears of reprisal attacks (AOR=4.19; p=0.004) were significantly associated with anxiety disorder. Male gender (AOR=2.09; p=0.015), prolonged displacement (AOR=3.55; p=0.020), reduced family size (AOR=0.55; p=0.049), financial strain (AOR=5.43; p=0.023) and loss of loved ones (AOR=1.92; p=0.040) were significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of the findings underline the complex aetiology of these two mental problems and the need to cater to the well-being of those at risk who have been exposed to trauma-related events. Accessible and affordable mental health services should be provided for these persons while also considering a social welfare scheme that covers their health expenses. Moreover, socioeconomic conditions targeting IDPs in the Ogoja Local Government Area should be improved by conducting large-scale mapping to identify this population.