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.
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 language | English (US) |
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Article number | ihac065 |
Journal | International Health |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 3 2022 |
Keywords
- depression
- youth
- water insecurity
- Uganda
- resource scarcity
- refugee