Exploring the health consequences of armed conflict: the perspective of Northeast Ethiopia, 2022: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background Conflict is a complicated topic with a multidimensional consequences for community health. Its effects have a broad pattern, starting from direct war-related morbidity and mortality caused by bullets and bombs to indirect consequences due to the interruption of the delivery of preventive and curative health services. This study aimed to explore the health consequences of the northern Ethiopian conflict in the North Wollo zone, northeast Ethiopia, in 2022. Methods This descriptive qualitative study was conducted from May to June 2022 on six conflict-affected Woredas in the north Wollo zone. A total of 100 purposively selected participants, which included patients, pregnant women, elders, community and religious leaders, and health professionals, were interviewed using IDI and FGD. The data was entered, coded, and analyzed using Open Code version 4.03. Thematic analysis approach employed to conduct the interpretation. Data was presented using descriptive statistics in the form of texts and tables. Results The findings indicate that the conflict has caused a profound consequence on population health. It has resulted in a wide range of direct and indirect consequences, ranging from war-related casualties, famine, and disruptions of supply chains and forced displacement to instances of violence and rape associated with insecurity. The conflict also caused a breakdown in the health system by causing distraction of health infrastructure, fleeing of health workers and shortage of medication, together with insecurity and lack of transportation, which greatly affected the provision and utilization of health services. Additionally, the conflict has resulted in long-term consequences, such as the destruction of health facilities, interruption of immunization services, posttraumatic stress disorders, and lifelong disabilities. The coping strategies utilized were using available traditional medicines and home remedies, obtaining medications from conflict-unaffected areas, and implementing home-to-home healthcare services using available supplies. Conclusion The Northern Ethiopian conflict has an impact on community health both directly and indirectly through conflict-related causalities and the breakdown of the health system and health-supporting structures. Therefore, this study recommends immediate rehabilitation interventions for damaged health infrastructure and affected individuals.

April 15th War and Hemodialysis Patients in Sudan: A Cross-sectional Study

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“…Active rocket attacks and insecurity make it hard for patients to get medical care. The degradation of medical services and the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, highlighted by Arage et al, are signi cant outcomes of the con ict (5,6). Our data supports this, showing that most participants received fewer dialysis sessions than required (56.6% received 2 sessions and 41.8% received 1 session).…”

“…Con icts in Syria and Yemen were marked by extensive damage to infrastructure, resulting in disarray and a shortage of essential services [5,6,7,8].…”

Analysing the six-year malaria trends at Metehara Health Centre in Central Ethiopia: the impact of resurgence on the 2030 elimination goals

“…stephensi [ 20 ], as well as the emergence of diagnostic failures for P. falciparum [ 21 – 23 ]. Ongoing armed conflicts in different parts of Ethiopia, including Northern Ethiopia, Oromia, and Benishangul-Gumuz, coupled with population displacement due to drought, impede efforts to control and eliminate malaria [ 17 , 24 – 26 ]. Several risk factors arise in areas affected by conflict, including breakdown of health centres, displacement of large non-immune populations to endemic areas and resettlement of refugees to deteriorated environments that favour vector breeding [ 24 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Determinants of stillbirth among women who delivered in hospitals of North Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia: A case-control study

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