Self-reported diseases and their associated risk factors among camp-dwelling conflict-affected internally displaced populations in Nigeria

Ekezie, Winifred; Myles, Puja; Murray, Rachael L; Bains, Manpreet; Timmons, Stephen; Pritchard, Catherine

Abstract

Background: Conflict in Nigeria displaced millions of people and some settled in camp-like locations within the country. Evidence on the association between living conditions and health outcomes among these populations are limited. This study investigated the risk factors associated with illnesses among camp-dwelling internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in nine camps in 2016. Self-reported data on socio-demography, resource utilisation and disease outcomes were collected. Association between health conditions and various factors, including sanitation and healthcare access, was investigated

Results: Data from 2,253 IDPs showed 81.1% (CI=79.5–82.7) experienced one or more health conditions; however, over 20% did not access healthcare services. Most common diseases were malaria, fever, typhoid and diarrhoea. Multivariable logistic regression presented as adjusted odds ratios(aOR) and 95% confidence intervals(CIs) showed factors significantly associated with increased likelihood of illnesses included being female (aOR=1.53;CI=1.19–1.96), overcrowding (aOR=1.07;CI=1.00–1.36), long-term conditions (aOR=2.72;CI=1.88–3.94), outdoor defecation (aOR=2.37;CI=1.14–4.94), and presence of disease-causing vectors (aOR= 3.71;CI=1.60–8.60).

Conclusion: Most diseases in the camps were communicable. Modifiable risk factors such as overcrowding and poor toilet facilities were associated with increased poor health outcomes. This evidence highlights areas of high priority when planning humanitarian public health interventions.

Citation

Ekezie, W., Myles, P., Murray, R. L., Bains, M., Timmons, S., & Pritchard, C. (2021). Self-reported diseases and their associated risk factors among camp-dwelling conflict-affected internally displaced populations in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health, 43(2), e171-e179. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa114

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 10, 2020
• Publication Date: Jun 7, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 11, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1741-3842
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-3850
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 2
• Pages: e171-e179
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa114
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4809365
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa114/5890326?redirectedFrom=fulltext
• Additional Information: This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Public Health following peer review. The version of record, Winifred Ekezie, Puja Myles, Rachael L Murray, Manpreet Bains, Stephen Timmons, Catherine Pritchard, Self-reported diseases and their associated risk factors among camp-dwelling conflict-affected internally displaced populations in Nigeria, Journal of Public Health, , fdaa114, is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa114.