Posttraumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation among the internally displaced persons in Nigeria

Abstract

Background The armed insurgency in Nigeria has forced vulnerable individuals out of their native homes and means of livelihood to search for safety and security in safer zones. This study assessed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicidal ideation, and its associated factors as well as coping measures employed by the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Dalori, IDPs Camp, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Patients and methods A cross-sectional design was employed to study 240 randomly selected adult IDPs. Data were collected with a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire, and data were analyzed descriptively, whereas multiple regression analysis was used in determining factors associated with PTSDs. Results The result showed that 72.1% of the respondents have been in the camp for more than 5 months. Findings from the study showed a high prevalence of PTSD (74.6%), depression (55.4%), suicidal ideation (33.8), and mental illnesses (26.3%). Furthermore, factors associated with PTSD include age (P=−0.033), religion (Islam=0.032), marital status [married (P=0.001), divorced (P=0.039), and widowed (P=0.007)], duration in camp (P<0.000), helplessness (P=0.031), anxiety (P=0.017), suicidal ideation (P<0.000), guilty feeling (P<0.000), fear of death (P<0.000), and loss of friend (P<0.000). In addition, respondents engaged in positive coping (have friends within the camp) and negative coping (taking banned substances) strategies in dealing with their problems. Conclusion The study concluded that PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation are prevalent among the IDPs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide interventions to address these problems with a view to improving the well-being of the IDPs.