Correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder among adult residents of conflict-affected communities in Cross River State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Conflict-affected communities in Nigeria experience a range of problems. These experiences have been associated with different types of mental disorders, most notably, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). AIM: This study sought to assess PTSD and its associated factors among adults in conflict-affected communities in Odukpani Local Government Area (LGA), Cross River State, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probability and probability sampling techniques. The sample size for this study was 486 conflict-affected adults. The symptoms of PTSD were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and a semistructured questionnaire was employed to collect data on sociodemographic and trauma-related characteristics. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, χ2 and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of PTSD in conflict-affected communities in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria was 73.9%. The multivariate analysis revealed that higher educational attainment (AOR 5.66; p<0.001; 95% CI 2.37 to 13.54), family size >4 (AOR 1.72; p=0.03; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.77), discrimination because of present status (AOR 1.96; p=0.03; 95% CI 1.26 to 3.06) and family history of mental illnesses (AOR 2.08; p=0.002; 95% CI 1.31 to 3.31) showed statistically significant relationships with PTSD in the study population. CONCLUSION: A multisectoral approach for creating and routinely arranging mental health interventions and aid programmes aimed at improving social outcomes such as employment, living conditions and social networks for conflict-affected communities is recommended.

Correlates of somatic symptom disorder among internally displaced persons in Ogoja displacement settlements, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Experiences of displacement have been associated with the prevalence of mental health disorders owing to certain factors. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the correlates of Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) among internally displaced adults in Ogoja displacement settlements, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 335 respondents. SSD was assessed using the SOM-SCL section of the Common Mental Disorder Questionnaire while a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic and displacement-related factors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression. Result: The prevalence of somatoform disorder was 59.1%. Factors found to be significant in each bivariate Chi-square analysis were modelled for the mental disorder. The multivariate analysis revealed that being married (AOR=2.80; p=0.020) prolonged displacement (AOR=3.29; p=0.003), discrimination (AOR=2.25; p=0.010), disease outbreak (AOR=1.92; p=0.030), loss of loved ones (AOR=1.34; p=0.028), overcrowded households (AOR=2.30; p=0.008), and fear of reprisals (AOR=2.05; p=0.026) were significantly associated with somatoform disorder. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the high prevalence of the studied outcome is related to several stressors and events among Internally displaced persons. Evidence-based mental health support efforts by different bodies in creating and routinely arranging mental health clinical interventions for this population is recommended.

Effect of domestic solid waste disposal practices on quality of drinking water sources in some rural communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Poor waste disposal practices impinge on water quality. An assessment of the effect of domestic solid wastes disposal practices on microbial quality of drinking water sources was conducted in some rural communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. An ecological study design was adopted using quantitative methods and a multi-stage sampling technique for random selection of LGAs, communities, and households for the administration of questionnaires to 120 respondents within four communities. Microbiological analysis of water samples from various sources was also conducted. A total of 26 (43.3%) and 16 (26.7%) households in the coastal and upland areas respectively had waste disposal facilities, the remaining percentage dumped waste into rivers and nearby bushes. The majority of the coastal community dwellers defecate directly into water bodies or swamps due to a lack of faeces disposal facilities whereas all respondents in the upland areas had faeces disposal facilities though some were unimproved. The result of the microbial analysis showed that the coastal areas had a mean heterotrophic bacterial, coliform, and fungal count of 1.45(± 0.44) × 105 cfu/ml, 0.90(± 0.27) × 105 cfu/ml, and 1.75(± 0.50) × 105 cfu/ml while the upland areas had 1.34(± 0.55) × 105 cfu/ml, 0.65(± 0.36) × 105 cfu/ml, and 1.88(± 0.58) × 105 cfu/ml. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in microbial water quality between the coastal and upland areas besides the self-reported health problems. A moderate positive correlation was found between solid waste disposal practices and total bacterial count (r = 0.418**), and total coliform (r = 0.397**), P < 0.01. Most of the microorganisms isolated from drinking water in both settings were of public health importance. The result obtained from this study indicates very poor water quality in both settings. This implicates the poor solid waste disposal practices predominant in these communities and calls for immediate measures to secure the health of the rural community dwellers.

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, χ2 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 χ2 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.