Socio-demographic and occupational factors associated with psychiatric morbidity among Nigerian army personnel: a comparative study of combatant and non-combatant roles

Abstract

Psychiatric morbidity among military personnel poses significant challenges to individual well-being, operational effectiveness, and force sustainability. Although combat exposure has been widely linked to adverse mental health outcomes in high-income countries, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. In Nigeria, prolonged counter-insurgency and internal security operations expose Army personnel to diverse psychological stressors. Yet, little is known about how socio-demographic and occupational factors are differentially associated with psychiatric morbidity among combatant and non-combatant roles. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 297 Nigerian Army personnel stationed at Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, comprising 149 combatants and 148 non-combatants. Psychiatric morbidity was screened using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and confirmed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus (M.I.N.I.-PLUS). Socio-demographic and occupational variables were collected using a structured pro forma. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with psychiatric morbidity within combatant and non-combatant groups, as well as in the combined sample. Overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was significantly higher among combatants (55.0%) compared to non-combatants (22.3%) (χ2 = 12.73, p < 0.01). The overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in the sample was 38.7%. In combatants, predictors included age < 30 years (AOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.12–4.08), unmarried status (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.04–3.71), living in barracks (AOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.18–4.36), and prior deployment (AOR 2.87, 95% CI 1.51–5.44). In non-combatants, lower educational attainment (secondary or less) predicted psychiatric morbidity (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05–3.85). Across the entire sample, combatant role independently predicted psychiatric morbidity (AOR 3.21, 95% CI 1.85–5.58). Psychiatric morbidity is common among Nigerian Army personnel and is differentially associated with socio-demographic and occupational factors across combatant and non-combatant roles. Combat exposure, combined with younger age, limited social support, and barracks residence, appears to heighten vulnerability among combatants, while lower educational attainment may increase risk among non-combatants. These findings underscore the need for role-specific, culturally informed mental health screening, prevention, and intervention strategies within the Nigerian Army.