Correlates of depression among internally displaced persons after post-election violence in Kaduna, North Western Nigeria.

Background: In April 2011, a post-election violent conflict in northern Nigeria led to resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a camp in Kaduna, the worst affected state. We set out to determine the prevalence of depression among the IDPs. We also determined socio-demographic and other correlates of depression among the IDPs.

Methods: Cross-sectional systematic random sampling was used to select 258 adults IDPs. We used the Hopkins symptom checklist to diagnose probable depression, composite international diagnostic interview for diagnosis of definite depression and communal trauma event inventory to determine exposure to psycho-trauma. We assessed social adjustment using social provision scale and Harvard trauma questionnaire to diagnose "symptomatic PTSD". Multiple logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of depression.

Results: Of the 258 IDPs, 154 (59.7%) had probable depression, and 42 (16.3%) had definite depression. Females were more likely to have probable depression (1.68, 95% CI 1.02-2.78; p=0.04) and definite depression (2.69, 1.31-5.54; p= 0.006). IDPs with co-morbid PTSD were more likely to have probable depression (16.9, 8.15-35.13; p<0.000) and definite depression (3.79,1.86-7.71; p<0.000). A comorbid CIDI diagnosis of PTSD (AOR 16.6, 7.2-38.6; p<0.000) and psycho-trauma of getting beaten (AOR 2.7, 1.1-6.7; p=0.004) remained as independent predictors of probable depression among the IDPs. The male gender remained a protective factor against probable depression (AOR 0.3, 0.1-0.7; p= 0.006).

Limitations: This study was conducted 2 years post-conflict and only IDPs living in the camps were studied.

Conclusion: IDPs living in Hajj camp in Kaduna, northern Nigeria developed post-conflict probable depression and definite depression. Female gender, experienced beating and comorbid diagnosis of PTSD were independent predictors of probable depression among the IDPs, while IDPs that were unemployed or retired had more of definitive depression.