Speaker
Description
Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are highly vulnerable to mental health conditions such as depression due to forced displacement, loss, and exposure to traumatic events. These conditions can severely impact reintegration, recovery, and long-term well-being. However, existing evidence on the burden of depression among IDPs in Sub-Saharan Africa remains fragmented and inconsistent.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of depression and its associated factors among internally displaced persons in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and African Journals Online (AJOL), including studies published up to April 27, 2023. Thirteen primary studies with a combined sample size of 8,383 IDPs were included. The analysis was performed using STATA version 14. A random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model was employed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s test and funnel plots. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted.
Results: The pooled prevalence of depression among IDPs was 64% (95% CI: 46.47–81.46). Subgroup analysis showed variation by assessment tool: 66.9% (Hopkins Symptom Checklist), 73.37% (PHQ), and 52.53% (other tools). Depression was significantly associated with being female (AOR = 2.68), non-married (AOR = 3.19), exposure to traumatic events (AOR = 2.16), and loss of a family member (AOR = 2.72).
Conclusion: Depression is highly prevalent among IDPs in Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by gender, trauma, and loss-related factors. These findings highlight the urgent need to integrate mental health screening and psychosocial support into post-displacement reintegration programs to foster recovery and resilience in this vulnerable population.
