Correlates of alcohol use among internally displaced adults in Northern Cross River, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Forced displacement is high globally as populations are increasingly displaced by conflicts and disasters. Substance misuse is increasingly recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in displaced populations.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the correlates of alcohol misuse among internally displaced adults in Northern Cross River, Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ogoja displacement settlements. Three-hundred and thirty-five displaced adults were selected using snowball sampling method. Alcohol dependence was measured using the interviewer-administered Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of alcohol misuse was 26.3%. The multivariate analysis revealed that male gender (AOR=7.28; p<0.001), farming occupation (AOR=4.44; p=0.003), discrimination (AOR=3.49; p=0.001), financial strains (AOR=0.12; p=0.002), overcrowded shelters (AOR=3.49; p=0.001), fear of reprisals (AOR=2.49; p=0.016), and concerns about health and safety (AOR=0.087; p<0.001) were significantly associated with alcohol dependence among IDPs in this study.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that nearly three out of every ten displaced adults were alcohol-dependent as a result of traumatic events, life events, and deprivation of basic care. Protection, social, and psychological remedies are required to foster relief and reintegration efforts for internally displaced persons in Nigeria.