Associations between water insecurity and depression among refugee adolescents and youth in a humanitarian context in Uganda: cross-sectional survey findings

Carmen H Logie, Moses Okumu, Miranda Loutet, Isha Berry, Lina Taing, Simon Odong Lukone, Nelson Kisubi, Nina Sokolovic, Peter Kyambadde

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background

Water insecurity is linked to poor mental health through intrapersonal, relational and community-based stressors. We examined water insecurity and depression among refugee youth in Bidi Bidi, Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey and multivariable ordinal logistic regression to examine associations between water insecurity and depression severity, adjusting for gender, resilience, social support and food insecurity.

Results

Among participants (n=115; mean age: 19.7 y, SD 2.3), 80.0% reported water insecurity and 18.3% had moderate/severe depression symptoms. Water insecurity was independently associated with higher levels of depression severity (adjusted OR: 5.61; 95% CI 1.20 to 26.30; p=0.03).

Conclusions

Findings suggest water insecurity was commonplace and associated with depression. Water insecurity could be integrated in refugee mental health promotion by policymakers and community-based programmers.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberihac065
JournalInternational Health
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 3 2022

Keywords

  • depression
  • youth
  • water insecurity
  • Uganda
  • resource scarcity
  • refugee

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Associations between water insecurity and depression among refugee adolescents and youth in a humanitarian context in Uganda: cross-sectional survey findings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this