Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Abdullahi Akilu; Michael Agbo Amedu; Auwal Salihu Sani; Adebayo Sunday Adebisi; Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hadi; Yakubu Ibrahim Anas

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

J Pub Health Comm Med. 2026; 5(3): 223-232

doi: 10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Abdullahi Akilu, Michael Agbo Amedu, Auwal Salihu Sani, Adebayo Sunday Adebisi, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hadi, Yakubu Ibrahim Anas.

Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Banditry has led to an unprecedented level of displacement of large number of people in Northwestern Nigeria, which has left them exposed to various traumatic events, leading to various mental health conditions, especially depression, which is one of the most common psychological disorders among internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psycho-traumatic experiences and depression, and associated factors among victims of banditry living in IDPs camps in Sokoto.
Methodology: A total of 415 participants were recruited using systematic sampling technique and were administered the socio-demographic questionnaire, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-Revised (HTQ-R), and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Using SPSS, Chi-square test was used to determine association while binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of depression. P value set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age was 36.7 years (SD ± 16.5). Majority (79.3%) were females. The most prevalent traumatic event was being forced to hide and this was reported by 353 (85.1%) while the least was sexual abuse or sexual humiliation, 14 (3.4%). The prevalence of depression was 42.7%. The independent predictors of depression were age (˂18) at first displacement (p=0.001) and past depression (p˂0.001).
Conclusion: There is high prevalence of traumatic experiences and depression among IDPs affected by banditry in Sokoto. The findings in this study have provided data that will be beneficial to all stakeholders in shaping policy and intervention programs that will solve the mental health crisis among the IDPs in Sokoto.

Key words: Depression, Internally Displaced Persons, Traumatic Experiences.

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Abdullahi Akilu Articles by Michael Agbo Amedu Articles by Auwal Salihu Sani Articles by Adebayo Sunday Adebisi Articles by Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hadi Articles by Yakubu Ibrahim Anas
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Akilu A, Amedu MA, Sani AS, Adebisi AS, Hadi AI, Anas YI. Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2026; 5(3): 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

Web Style

Akilu A, Amedu MA, Sani AS, Adebisi AS, Hadi AI, Anas YI. Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. https://www.wisdomgale.com/jphcm/?mno=314701 [Access: July 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Akilu A, Amedu MA, Sani AS, Adebisi AS, Hadi AI, Anas YI. Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2026; 5(3): 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Akilu A, Amedu MA, Sani AS, Adebisi AS, Hadi AI, Anas YI. Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. J Pub Health Comm Med. (2026), [cited July 27, 2026]; 5(3): 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

Harvard Style

Akilu, A., Amedu, . M. A., Sani, . A. S., Adebisi, . A. S., Hadi, . A. I. & Anas, . Y. I. (2026) Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. J Pub Health Comm Med, 5 (3), 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

Turabian Style

Akilu, Abdullahi, Michael Agbo Amedu, Auwal Salihu Sani, Adebayo Sunday Adebisi, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hadi, and Yakubu Ibrahim Anas. 2026. Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 5 (3), 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

Chicago Style

Akilu, Abdullahi, Michael Agbo Amedu, Auwal Salihu Sani, Adebayo Sunday Adebisi, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hadi, and Yakubu Ibrahim Anas. "Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 5 (2026), 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Akilu, Abdullahi, Michael Agbo Amedu, Auwal Salihu Sani, Adebayo Sunday Adebisi, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hadi, and Yakubu Ibrahim Anas. "Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 5.3 (2026), 223-232. Print. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Akilu, A., Amedu, . M. A., Sani, . A. S., Adebisi, . A. S., Hadi, . A. I. & Anas, . Y. I. (2026) Traumatic Experiences and Depression among Victims of Banditry Living in Internally Displaced Persons Camps: Prevalence and Associated Factors.. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 5 (3), 223-232. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20260321110649