Prevalence of mental morbidity and its associated factors in two communities of Benin metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Mental morbidity is a public health problem that can lead to a great burden of disability in the community. Early detection and treatment of these morbidities could prevent deterioration. The aim of the survey was to determine and compare the prevalence of mental morbidity and its associated factors in two communities in Benin metropolis in Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out among 400 residents of two urban communities of Benin metropolis, Benin City, Nigeria, between November 2012 and April 2013. The design of the study was descriptive, cross-sectional. The 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a questionnaire for socio-demographic variables were used to collect information from participants who were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Statistical test of association used were Chi square, Fisher's exact test and Multivariate logistic regression. P value of < 0.05 was taken as statistically signicant.

Results: The overall prevalence of mental morbidity in both communities was 24.0%. However, prevalence of mental morbidity in BDPA and Uwelu communities, were 19.5% and 28.5% respectively. Education, income, type of accommodation, and number of co-habitants were variables found to be signicantly associated with mental morbidity. The two communities were found to differ signicantly on all indices of socio-economic status, and these indices signicantly differentiated between cases (GHQ-positives) in the surveyed communities. None of the socio-demographic variables independently predicted mental morbidity.

Conclusion: The need for renewed effort at improving community mental health services and the standard of living of the populace by government and policy makers is emphasized.

Keywords: Prevalence, Mental morbidity, Communities, Benin city, Nigeria