Armed Conflict and Depression among Heads of Households in Dogonahawa, North-Central Nigeria: Prevalence and Correlates

Abstract

Background and Aim: Research has shown that 30%-70% of people who have lived in war zones suffer from symptoms of depression, with exceptionally high rates documented among heads of households. Thus, this study aims to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression among victims of armed-conflict in Dogonahawa, North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A multistage sampling of households was employed to select 270 respondents aged ≥ 18 years. A face-to-face interview was conducted using the Revised Beck Depression Inventory-11 to collect data on depression. Results: The prevalence of depression was 38.5% in all respondents, 45.2% and 28.6% among heads of households and the dependants respectively. The odds of having depression was more than twice among heads of households with income below N20,000.00 compared to those earning above N50,000.00 (OR = 3.02, P = 0.253), but was decreased among males, those engaged in professional jobs and those with household size of less than five members compared to females, being engaged in non professional jobs and having more than five household members respectively (OR = 0.198, P = 0.002; OR = 0.049 and OR = 0.199; P = 0.012 and OR = 0.193; P = 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: The results point to the importance of disaster preparedness generally and specifically, with particular attention to household heads who are females, non professionals, with low income and larger household size.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors among war-affected residents in Woldia town, North East Ethiopia, 2022; community based cross-sectional study

“…While comparing, the result of this study was lower than other studies conducted in North-Eastern Nigeria 63.7% [ 16 ], and Siri Lanka 68% [ 27 ]. The possible justification could be, variation in the study population, this study includes Woldia town residents aged 18 and above, but in a study conducted in, North-Eastern Nigeria and Siri Lanka participants were only 15 to 35 years, school-aged, children and adolescents respectively.…”

“…In another study in Uganda, seven years after the conflict in three districts, (The Wayo-Nero Study) revealed, respondents with previous negative life events (familial, physical and psychological events) had prevalence of PTSD found to be 11.8% [ 15 ]. A study among victims of Boko haram terrorism in north-eastern Nigeria, more than 63% of the respondents were diagnosed with PTSD [ 16 ]. Following a three year civil war in Northern Nigeria a cross sectional study using a multistage sampling technique was study in northern Nigeria among 200 older adults, confirms 59% for full PTSD [ 17 ].…”

“…Multiple factors contribute with the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder following exposure to traumatic events. sociodemographic factors like, being female [ 13 , 19 , 22 ], being divorced/separated or widowed [ 16 , 19 ], clinical factors including depression [ 20 ], anxiety [ 21 ] and previously diagnosed for common medical disorders [ 14 ]and trauma-related factors such as having a history of exposure to traumatic events [ 12 , 20 ], destruction of personal property, witness murder of family members/others [ 17 , 20 ], loss of a loved one [ 9 ] and having low social support [ 19 ] are prominent and frequently reported factors in association with PTSD.…”

Trends of depression and anxiety during massive civil unrest and COVID-19 in Hong Kong, 2019–2020

“…Prevalence of mental disorders could be even higher in regions with more intense conflicts and casualties. For example, the prevalence of depression was 38.5% among a random sample of households in Dogo Nahawa, North-Central Nigeria, where citizens were undergoing frequent and intense violent conflicts and massacre in the past decades ( Taru et al, 2018 ). Prevalences of depression and anxiety were estimated to be 41% and 26% among people in the Kashmir Valley, a region with restricted economic development, political instability including elimination of semi-autonomy provisions by India in 2019, and ongoing armed conflicts ( Housen et al, 2017 ).…”

Mental Health and Conflict in Nigeria: An Overview

“…In another study carried out among trauma victims in north central Nigeria (Dogonahawa community, Plateau state) among 266 participants, 47% being head of households and 53% being dependants. 45.2% of the head of households and 28.6% of dependents had depression (Taru et al, 2018).…”