Assessing the Mental Health Challenges and Experiences of Returnee Migrants in Nigeria

Abstract

Returnee migrants in Nigeria often experience severe psychological distress due to traumatic migration experiences and reintegration challenges. This study assesses the mental health challenges and experiences of returnee migrant in Nigeria. This study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design to examine mental health challenges and psychosocial experiences among returnee migrants across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. A sample size of 1,316 was determined using Cochran’s formula, with participants selected through multi-stage sampling and snowballing techniques. Data was collected via pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 28. The mean age of the respondents was 29±6.212 years. The results revealed that the main reasons for migration were the pursuit of better living conditions (43.2%), followed by torture (38.6%), while torture (24.1%) and labour exploitation (22.3%) were the leading reasons for return. Findings revealed a high prevalence of mental health status, with over 80% reporting trouble sleeping, anxiety, and loss of interest in activities. Regression analysis on factors associated with mental health status among returnee migrants confirmed that sex and religion remained significant predictors of mental health status. Female returnees were about five times more likely to report poor mental health than males (AOR = 5.499, p < 0.001). Also. Religion showed a protective effect, with Christianity associated with lower odds of poor mental health (AOR= 0.119:P<0.001) compared to Islam. The findings underscore the urgent need for trauma-informed, community-based, and government-supported mental health interventions for returnee migrants in Nigeria.