Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41013615›Full record

ArticleConflict and health2025

Associations of psychological distress, alcohol and substance use, and HIV risk behaviour in forcibly displaced persons and migrants in Nigeria.

Gabriel Undelikwo, Tosin Olajide Oni, Leopold Achengui Zekeng, Francis Agbo, Fatimah Jajere, Seun Oshagbami, James Anenih, Samuel Emetu Anya, Takpa Koubagnine, Idayat Uthman and 7 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Conflict and health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Gabriel UndelikwoUNAIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Tosin Olajide OniDepartment of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Leopold Achengui ZekengUNAIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Francis AgboNational Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Fatimah JajereNational Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Seun OshagbamiNational Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
James AnenihNational Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Samuel Emetu AnyaUNAIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Takpa KoubagnineUNAIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Idayat UthmanUNAIDS, Abuja, Nigeria.
Ernest OchangThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Abuja, Nigeria.
Oluwaranmilowo AmusanInstitute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Veronica Akwenabuaye UndelikwoDepartment of Sociology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Abel Ebe BankeInstitute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Babatunde AdelekanUNFPA, Abuja, Nigeria.
Mohammed AbdullahiDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
Moréniké Oluwátóyìn FoláyanDepartment of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. toyinukpong@yahoo.co.uk.

Funding

UNAIDS, Abuja PR 2023/1404226
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundForcibly displaced populations, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and migrants face distinct challenges, increasing vulnerability to HIV infection and substance use disorders. This study assessed the associations between psychological distress, alcohol consumption, substance use, and HIV risk behaviour among these populations in Nigeria.

methodsThis was a secondary analysis of the data of a cross-sectional study, collected in five states in Nigeria (Benue, Borno, Cross Rivers, Taraba, and Yobe), in December 2024. Data collected included the dependent variable (HIV risk behavior), independent variables (psychological distress level, substance use, and alcohol consumption), and confounding variables (age, sex at birth, sexual orientation, educational level, marital status, employment/occupational status, and religious status). A stepwise approach was used in the building of four models. Model 1 presented the unadjusted bivariate analysis. Model 2 was the adjusted multivariate logistic regression. Model 3 assessed the interaction effect of psychological distress level, alcohol consumption, substance use, and being IDP on HIV risk behaviour, and Model 4 assessed the same interaction for refugees.

resultsThe sample of 3,211 participants included 1237 (38.5%) migrants, 1497 (46.6%) IDPs, and 477 (14.9%) refugees. Among participants, moderate (AOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.38-1.56; p < 0.001) and high (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.57-1.85; p = 0.01) psychological distress significantly increased the odds of high-risk sexual behaviour. IDPs had the highest odds of engaging in risky behaviour compared to migrants (AOR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.32-1.92; p = 0.02). Substance use further amplified risk, particularly for IDPs (OR: 3.17; 95% CI: 2.11-3.72; p < 0.001) and refugees (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 2.02-2.37; p < 0.001) compared to migrants. No significant association was found between alcohol consumption and HIV risk behaviour.

conclusionThis study highlights the compounded vulnerability of IDPs and refugees, driven by psychological distress and substance use. Findings underscore the urgent need for integrated interventions addressing mental health, substance use, and HIV prevention tailored to forcibly displaced populations in Nigeria.

Indexed as

Conflict and healthForced displacementHIV risk behaviourHumanitarian crisisPsychological distressSubstance use

Identifiers

PMID41013615
PMCPMC12465571

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.