Mental health disorders, and associated factors among children aged 6–17 years living in Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda

Children living in refugee camps are negatively affected by adverse mental health outcomes due to traumatic experiences and living conditions such as food insecurity. However, the mental health disorders of children living in refugee camps of Rwanda have not yet been empirically reported. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence and associated factors of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation among children living in a refugee setting, with particular focus on the association with food insecurity. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 500 children aged 6-17 years living in Mahama Refugee Camp, Rwanda. The MINI-KID tool was used to assess for mental health disorders and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for food insecurity. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA-17. The prevalence of depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation were 12.6%, 3.0% and 2.2% of participants, respectively. Severe food insecurity was prevalent at 69.4% (347/500). Food insecurity was only associated with depression (aOR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.07-1.17, p < 0.001). Additional factors significantly associated to depression were age (aOR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.13-1.42, p < 0.001), and coming from DRC (aOR=2.83, 95%CI: 1.38-5.79, p = 0.005). PTSD was associated with coming from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (aOR=4.83, 95%CI: 1.55-15.04, p = 0.007), while suicidal ideation was also associated with coming from DRC (aOR=6.91, 95%CI: 1.79-26.69, p = 0.003) and having a disability (aOR=9.44, 95%CI: 1.83-48.77, p = 0.007). The prevalence of mental health disorders among refugee children in Mahama Camp are high with depression being significantly associated with food insecurity. Integrative interventions addressing both mental health and food insecurity among children like encouraging modern agricultural practices in humanitarian settings are crucial. Supporting children living with disability according to their individual needs can further enhance their mental health.