Conflict and Health最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of a multi-component early warning system for pastoralist populations in Doolo zone, Ethiopia: mixed-methods study.","authors":"Luke Baertlein, Bashir Ali Dubad, Birhanu Sahelie, Istifanus Chindong Damulak, Mohammed Osman, Beverley Stringer, Agatha Bestman, Anna Kuehne, Elburg van Boetzelaer, Patrick Keating","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00571-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00571-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study evaluated an early warning, alert and response system for a crisis-affected population in Doolo zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia, in 2019-2021, with a history of epidemics of outbreak-prone diseases. To adequately cover an area populated by a semi-nomadic pastoralist, or livestock herding, population with sparse access to healthcare facilities, the surveillance system included four components: health facility indicator-based surveillance, community indicator- and event-based surveillance, and alerts from other actors in the area. This evaluation described the usefulness, acceptability, completeness, timeliness, positive predictive value, and representativeness of these components.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We carried out a mixed-methods study retrospectively analysing data from the surveillance system February 2019-January 2021 along with key informant interviews with system implementers, and focus group discussions with local communities. Transcripts were analyzed using a mixed deductive and inductive approach. Surveillance quality indicators assessed included completeness, timeliness, and positive predictive value, among others.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>1010 signals were analysed; these resulted in 168 verified events, 58 alerts, and 29 responses. Most of the alerts (46/58) and responses (22/29) were initiated through the community event-based branch of the surveillance system. In comparison, one alert and one response was initiated via the community indicator-based branch. Positive predictive value of signals received was about 6%. About 80% of signals were verified within 24 h of reports, and 40% were risk assessed within 48 h. System responses included new mobile clinic sites, measles vaccination catch-ups, and water and sanitation-related interventions. Focus group discussions emphasized that responses generated were an expected return by participant communities for their role in data collection and reporting. Participant communities found the system acceptable when it led to the responses they expected. Some event types, such as those around animal health, led to the community's response expectations not being met.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Event-based surveillance can produce useful data for localized public health action for pastoralist populations. Improvements could include greater community involvement in the system design and potentially incorporating One Health approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10829173/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139643367","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: Have attacks on healthcare become the new normal? A public health call to action for armed conflicts before it is too late.","authors":"Karl Blanchet, Leonard Rubenstein, Bertrand Taithe, Larissa Fast","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00564-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-023-00564-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10826002/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139577081","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":"A qualitative assessment of Ukraine's trauma system during the Russian conflict: experiences of volunteer healthcare providers.","authors":"Lynn Lieberman Lawry, Jessica Korona-Bailey, Luke Juman, Miranda Janvrin, Valentina Donici, Iurii Kychyn, John Maddox, Tracey Perez Koehlmoos","doi":"10.1186/s13031-024-00570-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-024-00570-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine is characterized by indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics that have devastated the Ukrainian health system putting trauma care at risk. International healthcare providers responded to the need for help with the increasing numbers of trauma patients. We aimed to describe their experiences during the conflict to explore the gaps in systems and care for trauma patients to refine the Global Trauma System Evaluation Tool (G-TSET) tool.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted qualitative key informant interviews of healthcare providers and business and logistics experts who volunteered since February 2022. Respondents were recruited using purposive snow-ball sampling. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted virtually from January-March 2023 using a modified version of the G-TSET as an interview guide. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and deductive thematic content analysis was conducted using NVivo.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>We interviewed a total of 26 returned volunteers. Ukraine's trauma system is outdated for both administrative and trauma response practices. Communication between levels of the patient evacuation process was a recurrent concern which relied on handwritten notes. Patient care was impacted by limited equipment resources, such as ventilators, and improper infection control procedures. Prehospital care was described as highly variable in terms of quality, while others witnessed limited or no prehospital care. The inability to adequately move patients to higher levels of care affected the quality of care. Infection control was a key issue at the hospital level where handwashing was not common. Structured guidelines for trauma response were lacking and lead to a lack of standardization of care and for trauma. Although training was desired, patient loads from the conflict prohibited the ability to participate. Rehabilitation care was stated to be limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Standardizing the trauma care system to include guidelines, better training, improved prehospital care and transportation, and supply of equipment will address the most critical gaps in the trauma system. Rehabilitation services will be necessary as the conflict continues into its second year.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10809523/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139547685","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":"Drivers of men's use of intimate partner violence in conflict-affected settings: learnings from the Democratic Republic of Congo.","authors":"Christine Bourey, Rashelle J Musci, Judith K Bass, Nancy Glass, Amani Matabaro, Jocelyn T D Kelly","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00562-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-023-00562-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is prevalent in conflict-affected settings. Yet, there is limited knowledge about the risk factors that influence men's use of IPVAW in conflict-affected settings. This paper adopts a transdisciplinary perspective to understand how experiences hypothesized to increase men's use of IPVAW relate to each other and to men's use of IPVAW. The findings may help researchers and interventionists to better select and target interventions for IPVAW in conflict-affected settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used baseline data from the Tushinde Ujeuri project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Men with at least partial data for the variables of interest were included in the analysis (n = 2080). We estimated a structural equation model that explored how five constructs - interpersonal violence, mental health, socioeconomic adversity, gender inequitable attitudes, and conflict violence - influenced men's self-reported past-year use of physical and/or sexual IPVAW.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The model had acceptable fit (χ² = 1576.574, p = 0.000; RMSEA = 0.041; CLI = 0.882; SRMR = 0.055). There was a statistically significant path from interpersonal violence to IPVAW (β = 0.875; OR = 2.40). Interpersonal violence also was linked to gender inequitable attitudes (β = 0.364), which were linked to increased use of IPVAW (β = 0.180; OR = 1.20). Moreover, interpersonal violence was linked to trauma symptoms (β = 0.331), which were linked to increased use of IPVAW (β = 0.238; OR = 1.27). Use of IPVAW decreased as conflict exposures increased (β=-0.036; OR = 0.96), and there was no path from socioeconomic adversity to IPVAW.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest interpersonal violence exposures, trauma symptoms, and gender inequitable attitudes are all risk factors for the use of IPVAW in a conflict-affected setting. While continuing to focus on gender inequitable attitudes and norms, interventionists should also consider addressing men's experiences of victimization and mental wellbeing. Doing so can help to improve trauma symptoms and may hold promise to reduce IPVAW in conflict-affected settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"9"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10804634/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139521534","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":"Radiology in conflict: scoping review.","authors":"Trisha Suji, Richard Sullivan, Gemma Bowsher","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00550-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-023-00550-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The United Nations estimate a quarter of the global population currently lives in violent conflict zones. Radiology is an integral part of any healthcare system, providing vital information to aid diagnosis and treatment of a range of disease and injury. However, its delivery in conflict-affected settings remains unclear. This study aims to understand how radiology services are currently delivered in conflict settings, the challenges of doing so, and potential solutions. A hermeneutic narrative review of multiple databases, including grey literature sources, was undertaken. Key themes were identified, and articles grouped accordingly. Various conflict zones including Gaza, Ukraine, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Somalia were identified in literature relating to radiology services. Three key themes were identified: underserving of local medical imaging services, strong presence of military hospitals, and the importance of teleradiology. A severe shortage of radiologists, technicians, and equipment in conflict affected settings are a significant cause of the underserving by local services. Teleradiology has been used to blunt the acuity of the these struggling services, alongside military hospitals which often serve local populations. Radiology faces unique challenges compared to other healthcare services owing to its expensive equipment which is difficult to fund and can be less effective due to international sanctions placed on contrast medium to enhance image quality. Further the equipment is reliant on local infrastructure, e.g., power supply, which can be affected in conflict. Key recommendations to improve radiology services include retention of radiologists within conflict zones, careful allocation of funds to supply necessary imaging machinery, international cooperation to ensure sanctions do not affect sourcing of radiology equipment, special training for military medical teams to help preparedness for the unique demands of the local population, and investment in communication devices, like smartphones, to allow international teleradiology efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10797945/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139492143","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":"Feasibility and acceptability of phone-delivered psychological therapy for refugee children and adolescents in a humanitarian setting","authors":"Fiona S. McEwen, Hania El Khatib, Kristin Hadfield, Karen Pluess, Nicolas Chehade, Tania Bosqui, Stephanie Skavenski, Laura Murray, Roland Weierstall-Pust, Elie Karam, Michael Pluess","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00565-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00565-2","url":null,"abstract":"Refugee children are at high risk of mental health problems but face barriers to accessing mental health services, a problem exacerbated by a shortage of mental health professionals. Having trained lay counsellors deliver therapy via telephone could overcome these barriers. This is the first study to explore feasibility and acceptability of telephone-delivered therapy with refugee children in a humanitarian setting. An evidence-based intervention, Common Elements Treatment Approach, was adapted for telephone-delivery (t-CETA) and delivered by lay counsellors to Syrian refugee children in informal tented settlements in the Beqaa region of Lebanon. Following delivery of t-CETA, semi-structured interviews were conducted with counsellors (N = 3) and with children who received t-CETA (N = 11, 45% female, age 8–17 years) and their caregivers (N = 11, 100% female, age 29–56 years) (N = 25 interviews). Thematic content analysis was conducted separately for interviews with counsellors and interviews with families and results were synthesized. Three themes emerged from interviews with counsellors and four themes from interviews with families, with substantial overlap between them. Synthesized themes were: counselling over the phone both solves and creates practical and logistical challenges; t-CETA is adapted to potential cultural blocks; the relationship between the counsellor and the child and caregiver is extremely important; the family’s attitude to mental health influences their understanding of and engagement with counselling; and t-CETA works and is needed. Counselling over the phone overcame logistical barriers, such as poor transportation, and cultural barriers, such as stigma associated with attending mental health services. It provided a more flexible and accessible service and resulted in reductions in symptoms for many children. Challenges included access to phones and poor network coverage, finding an appropriate space, and communication challenges over the phone. Despite some challenges, telephone-delivered therapy for children shows promising evidence of feasibility and acceptability in a humanitarian context and has the potential to increase access to mental health services by hard-to-reach populations. Approaches to addressing challenges of telephone-delivered therapy are discussed. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03887312; registered 22nd March 2019.","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139460265","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":"Renal injuries in conflict zones: a 6-year study of traumatic cases in Afghanistan.","authors":"Tomasz Ząbkowski, Robert Brzozowski, Adam Daniel Durma","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00566-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-023-00566-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>During hostilities, gunshot wounds are the most common cause of penetrating injuries. In 8-10% of abdominal injuries kidneys are involved. The treatment method include surgical or conservative treatment (fluids + blood components).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Of 1266 combat trauma cases treated during 6 to 14 rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan, we extracted a subgroup of 44 kidney injuries. Corelation of trauma mechanism, PATI score, treatment methods, and outcomes was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 41 renal injuries, 20 considered left, 18 right, and 3 both kidneys. There were no statistical significancy in injury lateralization (p = 0.669), and no differences regarding side of a trauma and quantity of blood component used for the treatment (p = 0.246). Nephrectomy was performed on 17 patients (13 left vs. 4 right). A significant correlation between PATI score and the need for a nephrectomy (p = 0.027) was confirmed. Penetrating trauma recquired higher number of blood components comparing to blunt trauma (p < 0.001). The renal salvage rate was in study group was 61.36%. The overall survival (OS) rate was 90.25% - 4 patients died due to trauma.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The damage side does not result in a statistically significant increase in the need for blood transfusions or differences in the PATI score. The mechanism of trauma does, however, affect the number of blood components required for treatment, particularly in cases of penetrating trauma. With the introduction of proper treatment, the overall survival rate exceeds 90%, even when opting for conservative treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10770980/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139106815","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":"Post-quake call for action: developing core competencies matrix for Syrian health workers in emergency time.","authors":"Hani Saeed, Sulaf Hamid, Imad Zoukar, Adel Khiami, Lama Al Hawat, Mohammed Khoja, Hossam Khawatmy, Hani Abdalnour, Mayssoon Dashash","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00567-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13031-023-00567-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The recent earthquake in Syria has caused widespread devastation, leading to extensive damage and loss of life. Considering the diverse range of disasters and conflicts that have affected Syrian society, health workers must possess essential competencies to effectively manage various types of disasters, including earthquakes. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the specific competencies required by Syrian health workers to respond efficiently and effectively to earthquakes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory qualitative study was conducted at the Medical Education Program MEP of the Syrian Virtual University SVU. Nine members of the research team of the MEP, who represent various health specializations in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy, accepted to take part in this study. Among these, three members have been actively involved in providing health care in hospitals and the field during the Syrian earthquake on 6 February 2023. The Delphi process was adopted to identify competencies. Health workers involved in earthquake response were categorized into nine groups including medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, psychological support professionals, medical students, allied healthcare professionals, on-site disaster teams, and managers. The final list was accepted if it achieved more than 80% agreement among the participants in the first, second, and final rounds.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified 74 competencies (12 knowledge items, 35 skills, and 27 attitudes) essential for health workers to respond effectively to earthquakes. They are categorized into five domains: \"Preparing the team for the rescue process during and, after earthquakes, Implementation of the rescue process, Education and psychological support, Research, and development\".</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A list of earthquake competencies was identified for health workers. It is hoped that this list will enhance a country's resilience and will enable decision-makers to support health workers in acquiring these competencies within a very strained health system in Syria and other countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"18 1","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10768459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139099232","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: Participatory approaches and methods in gender equality and gender‑based violence research with refugees and internally displaced populations: a scoping review","authors":"Michelle Lokot, Erin Hartman, Iram Hashmi","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00559-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00559-0","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Correction: Conflict and Health &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00554-5&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Following publication of the original article [1], the authors identified an error in caption of the Table 1. The correct Table 1 caption is given below.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Table 1 \"Key search terms for each database\".&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The original article (1) has been corrected.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol data-track-component=\"outbound reference\"&gt;&lt;li data-counter=\"1.\"&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lokot, et al. Participatory approaches and methods in gender equality and gender-based violence research with refugees and internally displaced populations: a scoping review. Confl Heal. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00554-5.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Article Google Scholar &lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;Download references&lt;svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" height=\"16\" role=\"img\" width=\"16\"&gt;&lt;use xlink:href=\"#icon-eds-i-download-medium\" xmlns:xlink=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\"&gt;&lt;/use&gt;&lt;/svg&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Authors and Affiliations&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Michelle Lokot, Erin Hartman &amp; Iram Hashmi&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;span&gt;Authors&lt;/span&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Michelle Lokot&lt;/span&gt;View author publications&lt;p&gt;You can also search for this author in &lt;span&gt;PubMed&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;Google Scholar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Erin Hartman&lt;/span&gt;View author publications&lt;p&gt;You can also search for this author in &lt;span&gt;PubMed&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;Google Scholar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Iram Hashmi&lt;/span&gt;View author publications&lt;p&gt;You can also search for this author in &lt;span&gt;PubMed&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;Google Scholar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Corresponding author&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Correspondence to Michelle Lokot.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Publisher's Note&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Open Access&lt;/b&gt; This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000&lt;p&gt;Reprints and permissions&lt;/p&gt;&lt;img alt=\"Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark\" height=\"81\" src=\"data:ima","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139082662","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":"Gender-based violence in the context of armed conflict in Northern Ethiopia","authors":"Desalew Salew Tewabe, Muluken Azage, Gizachew Yismaw Wubetu, Sisay Awoke Fenta, Mulugeta Dile Worke, Amanu Mekonen Asres, Wallelign Alemnew Getnet, Genet Gedamu Kassie, Yonatan Menber, Alemtsehay Mekonnen Munea, Taye Zeru, Selamawit Alemayehu Bekele, Sadiya Osman Abdulahi, Tigist Biru Adamne, Hiwot Debebe Belete, Belay Bezabih Beyene, Melkamu Abte, Tesfaye B Mersha, Abel Fekadu Dadi, Daniel A Enquobahrie, Souci M. Frissa, Yonas E. Geda","doi":"10.1186/s13031-023-00563-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00563-4","url":null,"abstract":"Gender-based violence (GBV) particularly against women is unfortunately common during armed conflicts. No rigorous and comprehensive empirical work has documented the extent of GBV and its consequences that took place during the two years of devastating armed conflict in Northern Ethiopia. This study aims to assess GBV and its consequences in war-torn areas of northern Ethiopia. We used a qualitative method augmented by quantitative method to enroll research participants. We conducted in-depth interviews to characterize the lived experiences of GBV survivors. All interviews were conducted confidentially. The data were collected to the point of data saturation. All interviews were transcribed verbatim into local language, translated into English, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. We also used reports from healthcare facilities and conducted a descriptive analysis of the demographic characteristics of study participants. One thousand one hundred seventy-seven persons reported GBV to healthcare providers. The qualitative study identified several forms of violence (sexual, physical, and psychological). Gang rape against women including minors as young as 14 years old girls was reported. Additionally, the perpetrators sexually violated women who were pregnant, and elderly women as old as 65 years, who took refuge in religious institutions. The perpetrators committed direct assaults on the body with items (e.g., burning the body with cigarette fire) or weapons, holding women and girls as captives, and deprivation of sleep and food. GBV survivors reported stigma, prejudice, suicide attempts, nightmares, and hopelessness. GBV survivors dealt with the traumatic stress by outmigration (leaving their residences), seeking care at healthcare facilities, self-isolation, being silent, dropping out of school, and seeking counseling. GBV survivors were subjected to multiple and compounding types of violence, with a wide range of adverse health consequences for survivors and their families. GBV survivors require multifaceted interventions including psychological, health, and economic support to rehabilitate them to lead a productive life.","PeriodicalId":54287,"journal":{"name":"Conflict and Health","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139082610","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}