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

BMC Public Health · 11 authors, 8 centres

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TL;DR

This qualitative study explored health impacts of the 2022 conflict in North Wollo zone, Ethiopia, through interviews with 100 affected individuals. It found the conflict caused direct casualties and a breakdown of the health system, leading to widespread morbidity, mortality, and service disruptions.

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This descriptive qualitative study was conducted in May-June 2022 across six conflict-affected Woredas in North Wollo zone, Ethiopia. Data was collected via in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 100 purposively selected participants including patients, pregnant women, elders, community and religious leaders, and health professionals. Thematic analysis revealed profound direct and indirect health consequences. Direct impacts included war-related casualties and violence. Indirect consequences stemmed from health system collapse, characterized by destroyed infrastructure, displaced health workers, medication shortages, and service disruptions, which severely limited healthcare access and utilization. Additional effects included famine, malnutrition, communicable disease outbreaks, psychological trauma, and lifelong disabilities. The study notes limitations including potential recall bias, exclusion of displaced populations, and lack of formal psychological assessment.

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other

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public health

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10594710

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

BMC Public Health

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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.

CITATION EXPORT

Mulugeta Wodaje Arage, Henok Kumsa, Mulu Shiferaw Asfaw et al.. Exploring the health consequences of armed conflict: the perspective of Northeast Ethiopia, 2022: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16983-z

AUTHORS

11 · 8 CENTRES

Mulugeta Wodaje Arage, Henok Kumsa, Mulu Shiferaw Asfaw, Abebe Tarekegn Kassaw, Ephrem Mebratu Dagnew, Abayneh Tunta, Woldeteklehymanot Kassahun, Amanuel Addisu, Molla Yigzaw, Tilahun Hailu, Lebeza Alemu Tenaw

1https://ror.org/05a7f9k79grid.507691.c0000 0004 6023 9806School of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
2https://ror.org/05a7f9k79grid.507691.c0000 0004 6023 9806School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
3https://ror.org/05a7f9k79grid.507691.c0000 0004 6023 9806Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
4https://ror.org/04sbsx707grid.449044.90000 0004 0480 6730Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
5https://ror.org/05a7f9k79grid.507691.c0000 0004 6023 9806Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
6Department of Public health, College of Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia
7https://ror.org/04sbsx707grid.449044.90000 0004 0480 6730Department of Public health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
8https://ror.org/05a7f9k79grid.507691.c0000 0004 6023 9806School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia