Population-based survey methods to quantify associations between human rights violations and health outcomes among internally displaced persons in eastern Burma

Abstract

Widespread human rights violations in conflict zones in eastern Burma are associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Population-level associations can be quantified using standard epidemiological methods. This approach requires further validation and refinement elsewhere.

Health and human rights in eastern Myanmar prior to political transition: a population-based assessment using multistaged household cluster sampling

“…The estimated prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria (6.9%) and under-5 diarrhea (10.3% in the previous 2 weeks) were comparable to a previous survey in Karen State (11.2% and 13.5%, respectively), though the estimate of moderate and severe malnutrition (14.8%) was higher (previously 4.2%) [5,8]. Maternal health indicators were poor, and were similar to those reported from selected clinic service areas participating in a reproductive health intervention study in 2008: only 17.1% of women of reproductive age met the international recommendation for consumption of iron supplements during pregnancy (previously 11.8%) [8], and nearly one fifth of women of reproductive age were found to be malnourished (16.7% in this study, 19.3% previously) [8].…”

“…Furthermore, HRVs were associated with child malnutrition and an increased risk of death among infants, children and the population as a whole. Forced labor was most strongly associated with infant and child death; it was associated with a decreased risk of child malnutrition, a finding which has been reported elsewhere, though the reasons for this finding remain unclear and require further study [5]. However, many households that did not experience forced labor were exposed to other HRVs that also increase risk for malnutrition, such as forced displacement, thus making it possible that the "control" group in this instance had greater exposure to alternative, stronger risk factors for child malnutrition.…”

“…This design effect was chosen based on previous health surveys in the region [5,13]. This calculation generated a required sample size of 1,350 households in 45 villages in each of six strata, assuming that 30 households would be interviewed per village cluster.…”

“…For example, in 2004, CBOs conducted retrospective mortality surveys in Kayin (Karen) and Kayah (Karenni) [5] that found under-5 mortality rates of 218 per 1,000 live births, higher than the nationally reported rate of 105 per 1000 live births [6]. …”

A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Method Study to Identify Human Rights Violations and Asses the Psychosocial Health Status of the Internally Displaced Women of North-West Pakistan

“…Studies around the world have found a correlation between human rights violations and adverse health outcomes [60,66]. By correlating health status to human rights violations during conflicts, researchers have provided evidence which can be useful to human rights monitors and humanitarian agencies and organizations [60].…”