Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among internally displaced persons: unveiling the impact of the war of Tigray.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the war in Tigray, 2.1 million people (31% of the total population) were internally displaced. Epidemiological evidence shows that the burden of mental health is higher in war/conflict and post-conflict areas of the world compared to non-conflict places, especially for those who have experienced targeted ethnic violence as a result of civil and political unrest. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the common psychiatric disorders experienced during war. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level and aggravating factors of PTSD during the war in Tigray. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2132 IDP family heads in Tigray from August 6-30, 2021. Study participants were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The PCL-C checklist, derived from DSM-IV criteria, was used to assess the magnitude of post-traumatic stress disorder. The entered data were exported to the SPSS version 26 statistical package for analysis. Summary statistics were computed, and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with developing PTSD. RESULTS: A total of 2071 IDPs were surveyed with a response rate of 99.7%. The survey revealed that the level of PTSD among community-hosted IDPs was 57.7%; 95% CI 55.5%-59.8%. Older age (> 50) (AOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.497-6.421), primary and secondary school attendance (AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.344-3.279; and 1.697, 95% CI 1.067-2.7) respectively, internally displaced persons with a family size of > 6 members (AOR 1.821, 95% CI 1.124-2.95), disability due to the war (AOR 1.702, 95% CI 1.077-2.69), and loss of contact with family members (AOR 1.472, 95% CI 1.032-2.099) were significantly associated with PTSD. CONCLUSION: The overall level of PTSD among cIDPs was found to be high (57.7%). Almost every other IDP developed this serious mental health syndrome. Immediate psycho-social health intervention is needed by local and international organizations in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental institutions based on the study's findings.

Prevalence of depression and associated factors among community hosted internally displaced people of Tigray; during war and siege.

BACKGROUND: Displacement is a psychologically stressful event. Since the war began, the people of Tigray were subjected to stressful events such as torture, rape, the killing of a family member, forced displacement, and even ethnic cleansing in their home countries. Especially displaced individuals are faced mental health problems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among community internally displaced people due to the war on Tigray, in 2021. METHODS: The community-based cross-sectional study design was applied from August 06 to 30, 2021 in all Weredas of Tigray. A total of 1,990 cIDP were recruited through a two-stage sampling technique. A structured and standardized questionnaire was used to collect data. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify associated risk factors and AOR with 95% confidence interval was used to select statistically significant variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression among internally displaced people was 81.2% (95% CI: 79.4-83%), with more than 60% categorized as moderate and severe depression. The married and divorced marital status, being government employee, having family size > = 4, destruction of household fixed assets, looting of cereals, and having disabled family members due to the war were the significantly associated risk factors of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression among community internally displaced people during the war on Tigray is very high compared to other studies conducted elsewhere. Almost 8 of 10 IDPs are developed depression and this is a very series health issue that needs immediate intervention by local, international organizations and communities around the world.

Knowledge, attitude, and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding during COVID-19 pandemic among lactating mothers in Mekelle, Tigrai: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the nutritive and immunologic benefits of breastmilk, children should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, even during the corona virus pandemic. However, fear of transmission risk and pandemic-related restrictions could undermine the practice of breastfeeding. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during COVID-19 among lactating mothers in Mekelle, Tigrai, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 621 lactating mothers living in Mekelle city, Tigrai, from April to June, 2021. Data were collected using an adapted form of a standard KAP questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the independent determinants of EBF at a statistical significance of p < 0.05. The strength of the association was measured by odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Four hundred (64.4%) mothers exclusively breastfed their children. Infants from female-headed households had twice (AOR 2.21; 95% CI 1.31, 3.71) higher odds of EBF. Higher educational status was associated with higher odds of EBF practice. A unit increase in parity was associated with a 23% increase in the odds of EBF. Mothers who received breastfeeding information had a 73% (AOR 1.73; 95% CI 1.17, 2.56) higher odds of EBF. Moreover, mothers with high knowledge score and positive attitude showed a 74% higher (AOR 1.74; 95% CI 1.20, 2.51) and more than double (AOR 2.35; 95% CI 1.50, 3.70) odds of EBF, respectively. CONCLUSION: About two-thirds of the mothers practiced EBF. Household head, maternal educational, parity, breastfeeding information, knowledge of breastfeeding, and attitude towards EBF were significant determinants of EBF. Our study findings highlighted that programs that enhance women's participation in education and decision-making could improve EBF practice. Besides, during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing lactating mothers with adequate and up-to-date breastfeeding information could be significant in improving EBF practice.