Mental health literacy, prevalence of depression and PTSD among internally displaced persons in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the level of mental health literacy (MHL) along with the prevalence, severity, and determinants of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among internally displaced persons in IDP in Northern Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional research with a well-structured questionnaire translated into Hausa Language was used to assess mental health literacy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among young (13-24 years) internally displaced persons (IDP) in the New Kuchingoro and Durumi IDP camps using Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and regression analysis at p<0.05. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0 was used for analysis.Result: Of the Six hundred and thirty-seven (637) respondents, 46.5% were between 20-24 years of age, 54.8% were males, 47.1% were students and 32.8% had secondary school education.  72.4% had poor knowledge on Mental Health while 27.6% had good mental health knowledge. Respondents between 15-19 years were 1.6 times more likely to have good mental health literacy (OR=1.625, p=0.044, CI=1.013-2.609). 54.6% were depressed, 19.9% had PTSD symptoms and 16% reported a double burden of depression and PTSD. Respondents involved in petty trading were 14.3 times more likely to have severe depression (OR=14.273, p=0.011, CI=1.832-111.211). Respondents with good mental health literacy were 95.3% and 92.1% times less likely to have PTSD and depression respectively (OR= 0.047, p<0.001, CI=0.015-0.150; OR= 0.079, p<0.001, CI=0.050-0.125). Depressed IDPs were 4.3 times more likely to have PTSD (OR= 4.379, p<0.001, CI=2.735-7.010).Conclusion: Due to the positive impact of high MHL on mental health outcomes, mental health literacy should be encouraged not just for IDPs but for the general population as well as, design and implement interventions to mitigate the effects of displacement on IDPs` mental health.