Depression Among Immigrant Nigerians in Canada

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Immigration Studies

Background:

• Immigrant status is a known risk factor for depression.
• Previous research on depression among migrants in Canada focused on Asian populations.
• Limited data exists on depression among Nigerian immigrants, a significant demographic group in Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of depression among Nigerian immigrants in Canada.
• To identify risk factors associated with depression in this specific immigrant population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 187 Nigerian immigrants in Canada.
• Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to screen for depression.
• Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• Over half (51.7%) of Nigerian immigrants screened positive for depression.
• Increased risk of depression was associated with being female, unmarried, dissatisfaction with migration decisions, and residing in Canada for over 10 years.
• Unlike other migrant groups, social support, employment satisfaction, and perceived discrimination did not significantly predict depression in this study.

Conclusions:

• Depression is a significant mental health concern among Nigerian immigrants in Canada, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Specific demographic and migration-related factors uniquely influence depression risk in this population.
• Further research is needed to understand the distinct mental health challenges faced by Nigerian immigrants.