Muhammad Haseeb, Muhammad Usman Ali, Areeba Younas
{"title":"Food as a weapon: the systematic starvation of Gaza's children amidst conflict in 2025.","authors":"Muhammad Haseeb, Muhammad Usman Ali, Areeba Younas","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2703362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13623699.2026.2703362","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of exposure to conflicts on childhood mortality: analyses of pooled cross-sectional data from 105 surveys from 52 countries.","authors":"Srinivas Goli, Nandeen Bhattacharyya, Shalem Balla, Harchand Ram","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2673302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13623699.2026.2673302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the relationship between armed conflict exposure and child mortality using a large-scale, multi-country dataset. We pool cross-sectional data from 105 Demographic and Health Surveys across 52 countries between 1998 and 2018, linking georeferenced conflict events from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) with individual-level records for 943,139 preschool-age children. A Cox proportional hazards model is used to estimate the association between conflict exposure and under-five mortality, controlling for socio-economic, demographic, and provincial-level characteristics. Results show a significant and robust association between conflict exposure and excess child mortality. In the baseline model, exposed children face a higher log hazard of death (β = 0.186, <i>p</i> < 0.01), corresponding to roughly a 20% increase in mortality hazard. The association holds regionally, with a 24% higher hazard in Asia and a 14% increase in Africa, and remains significant in fully adjusted specifications. Mediation analyses reveal that conflict exposure reduces maternal healthcare utilization (4+ ANC visits: β = -0.202, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and institutional delivery (β = -0.188, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Findings are robust across alternative conflict measures, geo-coded sub-samples, and non-migrant populations. The evidence highlights the urgent need to protect maternal and child health services in conflict-affected settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"1-34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148674699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When global conflicts hit home: moral injury in the UK healthcare workforce.","authors":"Mahira Syed, Hina J Shahid, Shahid Latif","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2710574","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13623699.2026.2710574","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148665213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ernesto Cardenas, Ana María Osorio, Gustavo Alfonso Romero Olmedo, David Rodriguez-Barco
{"title":"Influence of armed conflict-intensity on maternal health outcomes: the case of antenatal care visits in Colombia.","authors":"Ernesto Cardenas, Ana María Osorio, Gustavo Alfonso Romero Olmedo, David Rodriguez-Barco","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2679934","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13623699.2026.2679934","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assesses the effect of armed conflict intensity, measured by the frequency and severity of violent incidents at the departmental level, on women's uptake of antenatal care in Colombia. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the 2015 Colombian Demographic and Health Survey linked to data from the National Center for Historical Memory for 1985-2015. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the association between departmental conflict intensity and the probability of attending four or more antenatal visits, adjusting for individual-, household-, and area-level covariates. After adjustment, residing in departments with high conflict intensity was associated with lower odds of attending ≥4 antenatal visits compared with low-intensity departments (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.95, <i>p</i> < 0.005). Household wealth moderated this association. Independently, higher maternal wealth, autonomy, and education increased the likelihood of attending ≥4 visits, whereas shorter birth intervals, a greater number of children under five in the household, and urban residence reduced that likelihood. High intensity armed conflict is independently associated with reduced uptake of recommended antenatal care in Colombia. Maternal socioeconomic resources modify this relationship. Maternal health strategies tailored to the constraints of high conflict settings are needed to improve antenatal care coverage and equity.</p>","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148474143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Actualizing the right to health: from aspiration to a domestic enforceable duty.","authors":"Bilal Irfan, Tlaleng Mofokeng, Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2679931","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13623699.2026.2679931","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148145550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie Louise Drivsholm Østergaard, Diego Mauricio Aponte-Canencio, Maria Fernanda Bohórquez, Shennya Ruiz-Parra, Marie Brasholt, Jens Modvig
{"title":"Mental health impact of exposure to armed conflict in Colombia.","authors":"Marie Louise Drivsholm Østergaard, Diego Mauricio Aponte-Canencio, Maria Fernanda Bohórquez, Shennya Ruiz-Parra, Marie Brasholt, Jens Modvig","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2620123","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13623699.2026.2620123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the view to addressing the mental health needs of the Colombian population, exposed to many decades of armed conflict, an interview-based cross-sectional survey study was implemented in five departments (regions) of Colombia. The survey instrument measured, inter alia, exposure to armed conflict (LEC-5 and victim status) and health outcome (SCL-25 and self-reported health). 4480 interviews were conducted by trained interviewers. The results showed no association between prevalence of mental health symptoms and resident area exposure to armed conflict. However, a clear association between both number of events reported and victim status on the one hand and depression and anxiety as well as self-reported health on the other was found. Exposure to one and two or more events were associated with relative risk of depression or anxiety or both of 1.8 (CI 1.4-2.6) and 4.2 (CI 3.5-14.8) compared to no exposure. The other indicators used showed similar gradients. In conclusion, this survey study showed a strong association between exposure to armed conflict and health, including mental health, impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"307-326"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146151216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdulwhhab Abu Alamrain, Bilal Irfan, Khansa Irfan, Ahmad Ibsais, Maria Leister, Minahil Raheel, Elham Khateeb, Shameq Sayeed, Ismail Kalla, Izzeddin S F Lulu, Mohammed Halimy, Othman Alagha, Mohammed Alhabil, Ali S Alghaliz, Abd Al-Karim Sammour, Abdullah Ghali, Muhammad Sultan, Osaid Alser, Mohammed Zughbur
{"title":"Medical education in Gaza: navigating disruption during the 2023-2025 Israeli military assault and beyond.","authors":"Abdulwhhab Abu Alamrain, Bilal Irfan, Khansa Irfan, Ahmad Ibsais, Maria Leister, Minahil Raheel, Elham Khateeb, Shameq Sayeed, Ismail Kalla, Izzeddin S F Lulu, Mohammed Halimy, Othman Alagha, Mohammed Alhabil, Ali S Alghaliz, Abd Al-Karim Sammour, Abdullah Ghali, Muhammad Sultan, Osaid Alser, Mohammed Zughbur","doi":"10.1080/13623699.2025.2605928","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13623699.2025.2605928","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Before October 2023, Gaza's medical education, offered by Al-Azhar University and the Islamic University, enrolled around 2500 students and played a vital role in training local physicians despite the blockade-related challenges. The ongoing military assault has since devastated both the educational and healthcare infrastructure. Medical schools and hospitals have been damaged, destroyed, or militarized, while students and faculty have faced displacement, resources scarcity, and severe psychological distress. Education has been further disrupted by power outages, internet restrictions, unsafe travel and harsh living conditions. Despite these obstacles, students and faculty continue to adapt. Many have completed courses online, relocated abroad, or even managed to fulfill graduation requirements. Yet credentialing barriers and mental health burdens persist. Urgent global collaboration is needed to restore Gaza's medical education. Key priorities include expanding online programs, offering diverse training opportunities, creating safe learning environments, and supporting mental health. Recognizing Gazan medical students' frontline volunteering experience is also essential. This paper documents the state of medical education in Gaza before and during the 2023-2025 assault, examines its disruptions, and outlines recovery strategies drawing from available reports and academic literature.</p>","PeriodicalId":53657,"journal":{"name":"Medicine, Conflict and Survival","volume":" ","pages":"278-306"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147286140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}