Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria

Abstract Fatality resulting from violent conflicts poses a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, straining healthcare systems, disrupting resource allocation, and necessitating targeted interventions to curb the prevalence and strengthen community resilience. According to the Global Organized...

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Main Authors: Osafu Augustine Egbon, Asrat Mekonnen Belachew, Mariella Ananias Bogoni, Ezra Gayawan, Francisco Louzada
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98422-0
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author Osafu Augustine Egbon
Asrat Mekonnen Belachew
Mariella Ananias Bogoni
Ezra Gayawan
Francisco Louzada
author_facet Osafu Augustine Egbon
Asrat Mekonnen Belachew
Mariella Ananias Bogoni
Ezra Gayawan
Francisco Louzada
author_sort Osafu Augustine Egbon
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fatality resulting from violent conflicts poses a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, straining healthcare systems, disrupting resource allocation, and necessitating targeted interventions to curb the prevalence and strengthen community resilience. According to the Global Organized Crime and Terrorism Indices, Nigeria is ranked among the top countries most impacted by terrorism in 2020. Despite numerous studies on crimes in Nigeria, adequate attention has not been given to quantifying the patterns of fatalities due to conflict events. This work aims to unveil the subtle spatio-temporal pattern of fatality resulting from violent events in Nigeria over a quarter-century. A spatio-temporal mixed model within a Bayesian framework was adopted, and data was sourced from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The study found existing temperate seasonality in the pattern of fatalities, with a high fatality impact in Autumn and Winter. Among all the events, sexual violence was the leading cause of fatality in the country. Findings identified spatial and temporal disparities in fatality, with the North-East geopolitical zone being the most exposed region over the years, and uneducated members of poorest households are relatively more at risk of these events. The identified factors and patterns could be relevant for designing sustainable intervention programs or response policies to mitigate violent events in Nigeria.
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spelling doaj-art-cacd0a729d6d4ea8bcdf61371ce7086a2025-08-20T03:14:07ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-98422-0Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in NigeriaOsafu Augustine Egbon0Asrat Mekonnen Belachew1Mariella Ananias Bogoni2Ezra Gayawan3Francisco Louzada4Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São PauloInstitute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São PauloInstitute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São PauloDepartment of Statistics, Federal University of TechnologyInstitute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, University of São PauloAbstract Fatality resulting from violent conflicts poses a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, straining healthcare systems, disrupting resource allocation, and necessitating targeted interventions to curb the prevalence and strengthen community resilience. According to the Global Organized Crime and Terrorism Indices, Nigeria is ranked among the top countries most impacted by terrorism in 2020. Despite numerous studies on crimes in Nigeria, adequate attention has not been given to quantifying the patterns of fatalities due to conflict events. This work aims to unveil the subtle spatio-temporal pattern of fatality resulting from violent events in Nigeria over a quarter-century. A spatio-temporal mixed model within a Bayesian framework was adopted, and data was sourced from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The study found existing temperate seasonality in the pattern of fatalities, with a high fatality impact in Autumn and Winter. Among all the events, sexual violence was the leading cause of fatality in the country. Findings identified spatial and temporal disparities in fatality, with the North-East geopolitical zone being the most exposed region over the years, and uneducated members of poorest households are relatively more at risk of these events. The identified factors and patterns could be relevant for designing sustainable intervention programs or response policies to mitigate violent events in Nigeria.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98422-0Bayesian modelSpatio-temporal modelSPDEViolent eventsZero-inflated model
spellingShingle Osafu Augustine Egbon
Asrat Mekonnen Belachew
Mariella Ananias Bogoni
Ezra Gayawan
Francisco Louzada
Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria
Scientific Reports
Bayesian model
Spatio-temporal model
SPDE
Violent events
Zero-inflated model
title Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria
title_full Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria
title_fullStr Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria
title_short Spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in Nigeria
title_sort spatial and temporal modeling of conflict related fatality and public health implications in nigeria
topic Bayesian model
Spatio-temporal model
SPDE
Violent events
Zero-inflated model
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98422-0
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AT ezragayawan spatialandtemporalmodelingofconflictrelatedfatalityandpublichealthimplicationsinnigeria
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