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.