The Effect of Armed Conflict on Treatment Interruption, Its Outcome and Associated Factors Among Chronic Disease Patients in North East, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022.

Abstract

Background: The health services delivery system is debilitated in conflict setting areas due to damage of health facilities and attack on health care providers. Armed conflict is a complex phenomenon which causes a large amount of death and disability worldwide. However, there is lack of information towards treatment interruption among chronic disease patients in conflict areas. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of armed conflict induced treatment interruption and its outcome among chronic disease patients.

Methods: A mixed cross sectional study design was conducted on a total of 399 sample size at North Wollo and Waghimra zone hospitals. To select study participants a consecutive sampling method was used. Multiple logistic regressions were computed to evaluate the association and thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data.

Results: From the total 399 study participants, 264 (64.6%) study participants interrupted their medication. Treatment interruption is significantly associated with poor service availability and perceived high stress.

Conclusion: War has detrimental health effects, both immediate and long term, on populations. Treatment interruptions due to armed conflict were caused by poor health care access, lack of medications and lack of transport and displacement of hospital staff, insecurity and fear. Treatment interruption results in morbidity, mortality, lifelong complications, disability, psychological and economic impact.