Correlates of somatic symptom disorder among internally displaced persons in Ogoja displacement settlements, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Experiences of displacement have been associated with the prevalence of mental health disorders owing to certain factors. This study aimed to identify the correlates of Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) among internally displaced adults in Ogoja displacement settlements, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study of 335 respondents. SSD was assessed using the SOM-SCL section of the Common Mental Disorder Questionnaire while a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic and displacement-related factors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of somatoform disorder was 59.1%. Factors found to be significant in each bivariate Chi-square analysis were modelled for the mental disorder. The multivariate analysis revealed that being married (AOR=2.80; p=0.020) prolonged displacement (AOR=3.29; p=0.003), discrimination (AOR=2.25; p=0.010), disease outbreak (AOR=1.92; p=0.030), loss of loved ones (AOR=1.34; p=0.028), overcrowded households (AOR=2.30; p=0.008), and fear of reprisals (AOR=2.05; p=0.026) were significantly associated with somatoform disorder. The findings suggest that the high prevalence of the studied outcome is related to several stressors and events among Internally displaced persons. Evidence-based mental health support efforts by different bodies in creating and routinely arranging mental health clinical interventions for this population is recommended.