Anxiety, Depression, and Coping Mechanism among Internally Displaced Persons at Loza Mariam Internally Displaced Persons Camp

Abstract

According to the Global Report on Internal Displacement (2022), the total number of IDPs in Ethiopia reached 4.51 million in 2022. The objective of this study is to assess the level of anxiety and depression among IDPs who are currently living at Loza Mariam IDP camp, Gondar. An explanatory mixed research design was employed among 355 participants. While HSCL-25 and OSSS-3 were used to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression; and social support respectively, a semi-structured interview-guided questionnaire was employed to explore the coping mechanism of the participants. The study indicated that about 91.1% and 94.3% of participants experienced anxiety and depression respectively. Female participants appear to have scored a higher level of anxiety and depression than their male participants. It was found that widow/er, married and separated participants experience more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Participants who live with other family members and who were illiterate have experienced higher level of depression. Participants who have been self-employed before displacement resulted in a higher level of depression than participants who have been employed in organizations. IDPs who came from Mekelle and Benshangul experience higher symptoms of anxiety and depression than IDPs who came from other places. Those who have poor social support were found to have experienced a higher level of both anxiety and depression than those who have moderate social support. Witnessing the death or torture of other people was found to be the most common predictor of both anxiety and depression than other traumatic events experienced by IDPs. Religiosity, having a job, and drinking alcohol and gambling were found to be important coping mechanisms employed by the participants.