title: Suicidal ideation: Are refugees more at risk compared to host population? Findings from a preliminary assessment in a refugee community in Nigeria.
abstract: Among the serious mental health problems that may be associated with being a refugee is suicidal behavior. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation among African refugees in Oru-Ijebu Nigeria. Suicidal ideation was assessed using appropriate section in the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview while the brief version of the WHO Quality of Life was used to assess quality of life as a clinical variable. Study involved 444 refugees and 527 non-refugee member of host community. Result showed that the prevalence of suicidal ideation was significantly higher among the refugees than the non-refugee comparison group (27.3% vs. 17.3%; p<0.001). Social status and quality of life was significantly poorer among the refugees compared with their non-refugee members of same community. Quality of life was the only factor independently associated with suicidal ideations among refugees. In conclusion, the study shows that the prevalence of suicidal ideation is significantly higher among the refugees than the non-refugee members of the host community and calls for innovative ways of extending mental health services to refugees at the study site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Akinyemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Medicine, Lagos State University College of Medicine Ikeja Lagos, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Electronic address: draromedics@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Atilola
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soyannwo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D044382:Population Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation
keywords: Nigeria; Refugees; Suicidal ideation