Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Functional Disability among Internally Displaced Persons in North-East Nigeria

Abstract

The prolonged Boko Haram crises in North-East Nigeria caused serious displacement and left the survivors with multiple psychological consequences such as Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A high prevalence rate of PTSD among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has been reported across literatures. This study aimed to determine the factors that are associated with PTSD and its relationship with functional disability among IDPs in Yobe State, Nigeria. This was a cross sectional study of 450 respondents, recruited using a systematic sampling method. We used Harvard Trauma Questionnaire to screen for symptoms of PTSD and definite diagnosis made with WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), PTSD Module. Hopkins Symptom Checklist was used for symptoms of depression and definite diagnosis made with CIDI Depression Module. The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 was used to measure functional disability. There were 192 (45.5%) males and 230(54.5%) female respondents. The mean age of respondents was 39.4±18.50 years with range of 18-80 years. Significant PTSD symptoms were found among 159(37.7%) of the IDPs while Clinical interview gave a definite prevalence of 18.5%. Two hundred and forty-four (57.8%) of the respondents had disability scores in the mild range, 17.5% in the moderate range while 20.7% were in the severe range. Majority of those with disability scores in the severe range had PTSD. Factors significantly associated with PTSD were age, marital status, duration of displacement, type of abode, general living condition, self-reported general health, and disability score. A High prevalence rate of PTSD was found among IDPs and the severity of disability correlated well with having diagnosis of PTSD in the study.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and associated factors among internally displaced persons in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In this review, a study conducted in Sudan, South Darfur, at the Darfur Campaign study site, showed the lowest prevalence of PTSD (14.9%) [ 35 ], while a study conducted in IDP camps in Yobe State in northeastern Nigeria showed the highest prevalence of PTSD (94.2%) [ 2 ]. Three studies were from Ethiopia [ 20 , 26 , 33 ]; five studies were from Nigeria [ 2 , 24 , 38 – 40 ] and the remaining studies were from Kenya [ 34 ], Somalia [ 10 ], Sudan [ 35 ], South Sudan [ 36 ], Uganda [ 21 ] and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [ 37 ]. The included studies were categorized as having a low risk of bias (quality score 6 to 8).…”

“…By design, all included studies were cross-sectional. This study included a total of 7,590 participants [2,10,20,21,24,26,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. The included articles were published between 2008-2023.…”

Feasibility Study of Assist-Linked Brief Intervention for Substance Use Disorders in a Rural Community of Plateau State, Nigeria

“…However a study of communities in Jos South Local Government area [53] reported opioids as displacing nicotine and cannabis out of the first three most used substances. Variations in types of substances and pattern of use from place to place has been documented [54] in a previous research work and depends on location, availability and age range considered. However the UNODC drug survey in Nigeria found cannabis as the most used substance nationwide [2].…”

Prescription Opioids and New Psychoactive Substances Use in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Policy Implications

“…A sixty-seven percent (67%) prevalence rate for the current use of CCCS was reported for both long-distance truck drivers (Dada et al, 2021) and a community study of 600 participants aged between 15 and 73 years. (Nwoga et al, 2019). Opioid pain medication was the most commonly used substance among hospital patients for non-medical reasons (Fela-Thomas et al, 2020).…”

“…and Monkey Tail -produced by mixing Ogogoro (a local gin) with the seeds, roots and leaves of cannabis and leaving it to ferment for some days -were also commonly reported among young adults (Dumbili et al, 2020;Uthman et al, 2016). Less common substance abuse included inhaling faeces from a septic tank, refuse gas, or laundry blue, and smoking dried lizard faeces, dried paw and cassava leaves (Diwe et al, 2017;Isah et al, 2018;Nwoga et al, 2019;Okechukwu, 2013). The leaves are dried, ground into a powdery form and smoked.…”