Santiago Martínez Torre, Luis Sordo, María José Sagrado Benito, Augusto E Llosa, Angie Carrascal Maldonado, Retsat Dazang Umar, Joshua Usman, Cristina Carreño Glaría
{"title":"Key mental health differences in conflict-related sexual violence and how sex, severity, and early intervention impact on improvement: a retrospective observational study.","authors":"Santiago Martínez Torre, Luis Sordo, María José Sagrado Benito, Augusto E Llosa, Angie Carrascal Maldonado, Retsat Dazang Umar, Joshua Usman, Cristina Carreño Glaría","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00620-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00620-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is a significant health and human rights issue in humanitarian contexts, but there is a need of further research on differences between sexes in terms of severity of symptoms and improvement. Consequently, we explored the differences in severity and outcomes among male and female survivors of CRSV who received mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in an armed conflict setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analysed medical records from 3442 CRSV survivors in a MHPSS programme in Borno State, Nigeria, between 2018 and 2019. Patient characteristics, severity (measured with Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale [CGI-S scale]), and improvement (measured with Clinical Global Impression of improvement [CGI-I] scale) were assessed by an attending counsellor. We assessed predictors for severity and improvement using a multivariable logistic regression analysis and time to improvement by sex using Kaplan Meier (K-M) curves and Cox regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 3442 patients who had at least one CRSV event in this study (2955 [85.9%] female, 486 [14.1%] male, one unknown). The most prevalent categories of symptoms were depression (49.9%; n = 1716), post-traumatic (25.6%; n = 879), and anxiety (20.3%; n = 697) symptoms. Most patients had mild (59.0%; n = 1869/3170) or moderate (36.4%; n = 1153/3170) symptoms at baseline, with 4.7% having severe symptoms (n = 148/3170). The logistic regression analysis (n = 1106), showed male patients had a 59% higher odds of severe symptoms at baseline than female patients (aOR 1.59; 95% CI 1.04-2.45). Among males, those older than 55 years had three times higher odds of presenting severe symptoms than younger patients (aOR 3.65; 95% CI 1.43-9.34). Women aged 36-55 years were more likely to present improvement than younger female patients (aOR 1.32; 95% CI 1.11-1.58). For both sexes, prompt attention after a CRSV event (≤ 3 days) positively predicted improvement (aOR 13.9; 95% CI 1.48-130 males, aOR 2.11; 95% CI 1.22-3.64 females) compared to late attention. Time to improvement did not differ between sexes, with an average of at least three consultations needed to achieve improvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study suggests that psychological attention of survivors within the first 72 h should be a priority. MHPSS programmes addressing CRSV should be inclusive to all patients, and gender-neutral approaches to ensure access, safety, confidentiality, and non-discrimination for all survivors should be developed.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"61"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11484110/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142480750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oche Joseph Otorkpa, Abdirizak Mohamud Yusuf, Abdullahi Tunde Aborode
{"title":"Climate and conflict-induced child nutrition crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa.","authors":"Oche Joseph Otorkpa, Abdirizak Mohamud Yusuf, Abdullahi Tunde Aborode","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00621-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00621-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This commentary explores the intersection between climate, conflict, and child nutrition, highlighting the severe child nutrition crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa exacerbated by climate change and ongoing conflicts. Shifting climate patterns disrupt agricultural productivity and food security, while persistent conflicts displace populations and destroy infrastructure, significantly increasing food insecurity and malnutrition among children. Recent UNICEF data indicates that 1 in 4 children globally live in severe food poverty, with those affected up to 50% more likely to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition. Over half a billion children reside in areas prone to climate-related extreme weather events, challenging food production, distribution, and access. Extreme weather events have led to crop failures, food shortages, and price spikes, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns also alter the nutritional content of crops, worsening nutritional challenges. Conflicts in SSA have led to a food crisis of unprecedented scale, with over 80% of the 137 million Africans facing acute food insecurity located in conflict-affected countries. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has further disrupted global food and fertilizer supply chains, exacerbating food shortages and inflation in many African countries. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach integrating evidence-based, cost-effective strategies. This commentary advocates for the adoption of the 3 C approach-climate-smart school feeding programs, cultivation of edible insects, and community-based food hubs-as solutions to enhance child nutrition and build climate resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"59"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11453013/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142376305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Pluess, Fiona S McEwen, Claudinei Biazoli, Nicolas Chehade, Tania Bosqui, Stephanie Skavenski, Laura Murray, Roland Weierstall-Pust, Paul Bolton, Elie Karam
{"title":"Delivering therapy over telephone in a humanitarian setting: a pilot randomized controlled trial of common elements treatment approach (CETA) with Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.","authors":"Michael Pluess, Fiona S McEwen, Claudinei Biazoli, Nicolas Chehade, Tania Bosqui, Stephanie Skavenski, Laura Murray, Roland Weierstall-Pust, Paul Bolton, Elie Karam","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00616-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00616-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In recent years, the number of forcibly displaced persons has risen worldwide, with approximately 40% being children and adolescents. Most of them are hosted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many individuals meet the criteria for mental health issues, which can also be exacerbated by a number of risk factors, including low socioeconomic status, displacement, and stressors linked to conflicts in their country or region of origin. However, the vast majority never receive treatment for their psychological problems due to multiple reasons, including a shortage of mental health professionals in LIMCs, transportation challenges in accessing clinics, and clinic hours conflicting with family commitments. In the current study we investigated whether individual psychotherapy delivered by trained lay counsellors over telephone to Syrian refugee children living in Lebanon is effective and overcomes barriers to treatment access.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>After adaptation of Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) to remote delivery over telephone (t-CETA), preliminary effectiveness of the treatment modality was assessed with a pilot single blind randomised controlled trial including a total sample of 20 refugee children with diagnosed mental health problems. Data was analysed applying a Bayesian approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant session-by-session decrease in self-reported mental health symptoms over the course of treatment. Independent assessments showed that t-CETA resulted in a greater reduction of symptoms than standard in-person treatment as usual. There was no difference between groups for impairment. Importantly, the majority of children allocated to t-CETA completed treatment whilst no children in the treatment as usual condition were able to do so.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study provides preliminary evidence that telephone-delivered psychotherapy in a humanitarian setting, delivered by lay counsellors under supervision, works and significantly increases access to treatment compared to traditional in-person treatment. However, findings remain to be replicated in larger trials.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Trials. gov ID: NCT03887312; registered 22nd March 2019.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11414259/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142300902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fatima Mohammed, Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani, Sondos Yassir Ibrahim Ali, Razan Faisal Abdullah Mohamed, Elaine Tan Su Yin, Martha L Bravo-Vasquez
{"title":"Defending the right to health in Gaza: a call to action by health workers.","authors":"Fatima Mohammed, Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani, Sondos Yassir Ibrahim Ali, Razan Faisal Abdullah Mohamed, Elaine Tan Su Yin, Martha L Bravo-Vasquez","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00613-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00613-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to severe destruction of the health system and eventually its collapse. Moreover, multiple attacks on health workers were reported which led to obstacles in service delivery. The conflict has led to further humanitarian crises including shortage of food, water sanitation, and hygiene, and outbreaks of infectious diseases. About 2 million of Gaza's population are internally displaced with the majority in Rafah. Rafah's population has increased by 500% in less than four months. This has led to acute food severity in Gaza for the whole of the population. Moreover, the cut of UNRWA aid is expected to further expand the humanitarian crisis as over 2 million of the population depends on the aid.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11414200/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142300901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katharina Luttenberger, Beat Baggenstos, Charbel Najem, Charles Sifri, Piotr Lewczuk, Anne Radegast, Simon Rosenbaum
{"title":"A psychosocial bouldering intervention improves the well-being of young refugees and adolescents from the host community in Lebanon: results from a pragmatic controlled trial","authors":"Katharina Luttenberger, Beat Baggenstos, Charbel Najem, Charles Sifri, Piotr Lewczuk, Anne Radegast, Simon Rosenbaum","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00615-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-024-00615-3","url":null,"abstract":"Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is increasingly considered vital for addressing the needs of displaced communities. The mental health of young people in Lebanon, including members of the host community and refugees, has been severely affected by multiple crises. Physical activity (PA) is an effective means for enhancing mental health, but evidence of PA’s impact on mental health among forcibly displaced populations is still emerging and often varies widely across studies. In this waitlist-controlled study, we examined the effectiveness of an 8-week psychosocial bouldering group intervention offered by the nonprofit organization ClimbAID on psychological well-being, distress, self-efficacy, and social cohesion in a group of mostly Syrian refugee adolescents residing in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. The intervention consisted of 8 sessions and took place once a week for 2 h in a group of up to 12 adolescents with 2 trained facilitators and up to 2 volunteers, supervised by a climbing instructor and a social worker. Multilevel analyses were performed for all outcomes. 233 people were included in the study. The dropout rate was approximately 33%. The IG improved significantly more than the waitlist group in terms of overall mental well-being and psychological distress. Group allocation was a significant predictor of improvements in mental well-being and psychological distress and showed a trend toward predicting self-efficacy. There was no positive impact of the intervention on social cohesion. Even in complex humanitarian settings of forced displacement, a psychosocial bouldering intervention reduces psychological distress and increases well-being in a mixed group of host and refugee youth in Bekaa, Lebanon. Prospectively registered with ISRCTN 13005983, registered April 1st, 2022.","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142247346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Under-five mortality during the war in Tigray: A community-based study.","authors":"Bereket Berhe Abreha, Girmatsion Fisseha, Mache Tsadik, Awol Yemane Legesse, Hale Teka, Hiluf Ebuy Abraha, Martha Yemane Hadush, Gebrehaweria Gebrekurstos, Brhane Ayele, Abraha Gebreegziabher Hailu, Haile Tsegay, Mohamedawel Mohamedniguss Ebrahim, Hagos Godefay, Tsega Gebremariam, Tigist Hagos, Kibrom Muoze, Afewerk Mulugeta, Tesfit Gebremeskel","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00614-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00614-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Child mortality is one of the key indicators of the Sustainable development goals. The Ethiopian healthcare system in general and Tigray's healthcare system in particular has shown a remarkable progress in terms of reducing maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality in the last couple of decades. However, the war erupted in November 2020 caused the healthcare system to collapse and little is known about the status of child mortality in Tigray. Thus, this study aimed to examine the magnitude and causes of under-five child mortality in the embattled Tigray region was conducted from October 2020 - May 2022.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional community-based survey was employed. The study included all zones except the western zone and some areas of eastern and north western Tigray bordering Eritrea. These areas were skipped for security reasons. Based on multistage cluster sampling, 121 tabiyas in districts were selected. Census was conducted to survey 189,087 households in the 121 Tabiyas. A locally developed household screening tool and the latest world health organization verbal autopsy instrument were used. The Verbal Autopsy data was processed using the Inter-VA-5.1 (probabilistic modeling) to assign the cause of death. Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) was calculated per 1000 live births with a 95% confidence interval (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the present study, out of 29,761 live births, 1761 under-five children died giving an under-five mortality rate of 59(95% CI, 57-62) per 1000 live births. Deaths in the neonatal period and post-neonatal period accounted for 60% and 19.9% of the deaths respectively. Overall, the top 3 causes of under-five child mortality in the present study were: Perinatal asphyxia (n = 277,18%,) prematurity (n = 235,16%) and diarrheal diseases (n = 162, 12.5%). In those who died after first month of life, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory tract infection, sever acute malnutrition and HIV were the main causes of death. Concerning the place of death, 61.6% of the children died at home.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present study revealed the doubling of under-five mortality in Tigray from where the figure stood in the pre-war period. The leading causes of death in under-five mortality are potentially preventable in situation where the healthcare system is functioning. Restoring the healthcare system and its apparatus, improving access to skilled institutional delivery, smooth perinatal transition, improving nutrition status of children, access to full course of vaccines could ameliorate the staggering under-five mortality rate in the war in Tigray.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11365137/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142114777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natalya Kostandova, Jennifer OKeeffe, Blaise Bienvenu Ali, Pierre Somsé, Audrey Mahieu, Odilon Guesset Bingou, Sebastien Dackpa, Gerard Mbonimpa, Leonard Rubenstein
{"title":"\"It's normal to be afraid\": attacks on healthcare in Ouaka, Haute-Kotto, and Vakaga prefectures of the Central African Republic, 2016-2020.","authors":"Natalya Kostandova, Jennifer OKeeffe, Blaise Bienvenu Ali, Pierre Somsé, Audrey Mahieu, Odilon Guesset Bingou, Sebastien Dackpa, Gerard Mbonimpa, Leonard Rubenstein","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00610-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00610-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Attacks on healthcare have further weakened the already fragile health system in the Central African Republic. We investigated attacks on healthcare in three conflict-affected prefectures-Ouaka, Haute-Kotto, and Vakaga-from 2016 to 2020. The study aim was to gain an in-depth understanding of the immediate and long-term effects of attacks on healthcare workers, facilities, supply chain, quality of care, and other components of the health system. We provide a qualitative description of the incidents, assess their impacts, identify mitigation efforts, and discuss challenges to recovery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used purposive and snowball sampling to identify participants in the study. Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with administrative and health authorities, front-line personnel, and staff of non-governmental organizations. Interviews were done in Sango, French, or English. Recorded interviews were transcribed and notes taken for non-recorded interviews. Transcripts and notes were analyzed using inductive coding, allowing participant responses to guide findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 126 attacks identified over the study period, 36 key informants discussed 39 attacks. Attacks included killings, physical and sexual assault, abductions, arson, shelling with grenades, pillage, occupations, and verbal threats. The violence led to extended closures and debilitating shortages in healthcare services, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, such as children under five, or people who are elderly, chronically ill, or displaced. Healthcare workers faced psychological trauma and moral injury from repeated attacks and the inability to provide adequate care. Personnel and communities made enormous efforts to mitigate impacts, and advocate for assistance. They were limited by failed reporting mechanisms, ongoing insecurity, persistent lack of resources and external support.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Effective strategies to safeguard healthcare from violence exist but better support for communities and health workers is essential, including measures to assess needs, enhance security, and facilitate recovery by quickly rebuilding, resupplying, and re-staffing facilities. CAR's government, international organizations, and donors should make concerted efforts to improve reporting mechanisms and end impunity for perpetrators. Their investment in community organizations and long-term health system support, especially for health worker training, salaries, and psychosocial care, are vital steps towards building resilience against and mitigating the impacts of attacks on healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"54"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11351750/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142082568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Victoria Belt, Nadege Jacques, Larry Pierre, Elizabeth Greig, Kazem Rahimi
{"title":"Providing healthcare under the threat of gang-violence: a survey of Haitian healthcare providers.","authors":"Rachel Victoria Belt, Nadege Jacques, Larry Pierre, Elizabeth Greig, Kazem Rahimi","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00612-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00612-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In addition to having some of the worst health outcomes in the region, Haiti faces a political and economic crisis. The most recent humanitarian crisis includes an increase in homicides and kidnappings in the capital Port-au-Prince. This study is a cross-sectional, mixed methods online survey of health workers and medical students in Port-au-Prince from May 20 - September 15, 2023. It provides evidence of the kidnapping risk healthcare workers face and shares the perspective of a medical community operating in a challenging context to provide a continuity of care under the threat of violence. The survey of Haitian health workers and students show a significant risk of kidnapping with 44% of respondents reporting that they had a colleague kidnapped in the previous 2 years. 5 of the 249 respondents had been kidnapped and all were young, female health workers. 74% of health workers and students surveyed reported they plan to continue their profession abroad. Although teletraining was viewed as a positive opportunity to continue training cadres of medical professionals, health workers shared numerous limitations present for the expansion of telemedicine in the Haitian context. In addition to describing the experience of the Haitian healthcare professional during this crisis and documenting barriers to teletraining and telemedicine, this survey documents design considerations for mobile phone surveys with healthcare providers working in areas affected by conflict.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11342466/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142047532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rohini J Haar, Katerina Crawford, Larissa Fast, Than Htut Win, Leonard Rubenstein, Karl Blanchet, Louis Lillywhite, Nicholus Tint-Zaw, Myo-Myo Mon
{"title":"\"I will take part in the revolution with our people\": a qualitative study of healthcare workers' experiences of violence and resistance after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'etat.","authors":"Rohini J Haar, Katerina Crawford, Larissa Fast, Than Htut Win, Leonard Rubenstein, Karl Blanchet, Louis Lillywhite, Nicholus Tint-Zaw, Myo-Myo Mon","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00611-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00611-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Myanmar, ongoing conflict since the 2021 military coup d'etat has been characterized by targeted violence against health workers (HWs), particularly those participating in the pro-democracy movement. Existing knowledge about the challenges faced by health workers in Myanmar is scant, including their perspectives on mitigating their suffering and the broader impact on community health. This knowledge gap prompted our study to assess the extent of the violence, its impact on the workers and the community, and identify resource priorities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study employed purposive and snowball sampling to recruit health workers affiliated with the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). We interviewed 24 HWs in Myanmar between July and December 2022, predominantly physicians and nurses. We used a semi-structured interview guide and conducted interviews remotely due to the security situation. We adopted content analysis to understand participation in the CDM movement, experiences of violence, personal and professional impacts, the sequelae to community health, how HWs responded as well as their ongoing needs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thematic content analysis revealed that violence was both individually targeted and widespread. Health workers faced professional, financial, and personal impacts as a result. The health system as a whole has been severely diminished. Health workers have had to adapt to continue to provide care, for example some fled to rural areas and worked clandestinely, exchanging their services for food and shelter. In those settings, they continued to face insecurity from airstrikes and arrests. Health workers have also experienced moral distress and burden due to their resistance and protest against the regime.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The coup and ensuing violence severely disrupted the healthcare system, resulting in shortages of supplies, reduced quality of care, and exacerbated challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing significant hardships, HWs remained resilient, engaging in resistance efforts within the CDM and seeking support from local communities and international organizations. They expressed a need for increased awareness, financial assistance, and concrete support for the health system to address the crisis.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11334443/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142009946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction: Global health diplomacy in humanitarian action.","authors":"Luca Falqui, Fangfang Li, Yufeng Xue","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00609-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00609-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"51"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11321005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141972294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}