Assessing the Mental Health Challenges and Experiences of Returnee Migrants in Nigeria
Abstract:
Returnee migrants
in Nigeria often experience severe psychological distress due to traumatic
migration experiences and reintegration challenges. This study assesses the
mental health challenges and experiences of returnee migrant in Nigeria. This
study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design to examine mental health
challenges and psychosocial experiences among returnee migrants across
Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. A sample size of 1,316 was determined using
Cochran’s formula, with participants selected through multi-stage sampling and
snowballing techniques. Data was collected via pretested
interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 28. The mean
age of the respondents was 29±6.212 years. The results revealed that the main
reasons for migration were the pursuit of better living conditions (43.2%),
followed by torture (38.6%), while torture (24.1%) and labour exploitation
(22.3%) were the leading reasons for return. Findings revealed a high
prevalence of mental health status, with over 80% reporting trouble sleeping,
anxiety, and loss of interest in activities. Regression analysis on factors associated with mental
health status among returnee migrants confirmed that sex and religion
remained significant predictors of mental health status. Female returnees were
about five times more likely to report poor mental health than males (AOR =
5.499, p < 0.001). Also. Religion showed a protective effect, with
Christianity associated with lower odds of poor mental health (AOR=
0.119:P<0.001) compared to Islam. The findings underscore the urgent
need for trauma-informed, community-based, and government-supported mental
health interventions for returnee migrants in Nigeria.
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