TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Child health services and armed conflict in Tigray, North Ethiopia: a community-based study
JO  - Conflict and health
A1  - Tsadik, Mache
A1  - Gebretnsae, Hailay
A1  - Ayalew, Asefa
A1  - Asgedom, Akeza Awealom
A1  - Gebreyesus, Aregawi
A1  - Hagos, Tigist
A1  - Abrha, Marta
A1  - Weldegerima, Kiros
A1  - Abrha, Birikti
A1  - Gebre, Gelawdiwos
A1  - Hagos, Mulubrhan
A1  - Esayas, Rie
A1  - Gebregeorgis, Mezgebe
A1  - Gesesew, Hailay Abrha
A1  - Mulugeta, Afework
SP  - e47
EP  - e47
VL  - 17
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Access to basic health services, notably child health services, is severely hampered by the armed conflict in Tigray, North Ethiopia. Little is known regarding the impacts of the armed conflict during the war in Tigray on access to child health services. The current study investigates the impact of the armed conflict on the utilization of child health services in Tigray. <br><br>METHODS: 4,381 caregivers from randomly recruited households (HHs) with at least one child younger than 1 year old participated in a community-based cross-sectional survey. We collected data on childhood immunizations and illness-related treatment seeking from August 4 to 20, 2021. We describe data using frequency and percentage and carry out an internal comparison among the study participants using chi-square tests. <br><br>RESULTS: 4,381 children under the age of one included in the study. In total, 39% of infants received no basic vaccines, 61.3% of the children under the age of one received at least one vaccine, and 20% received all the vaccinations recommended for their age. About 61% of children were affected by at least one childhood ailments where majority of them were from rural areas. Mothers who did not seek postnatal care (PNC) were responsible for more than 75% of reported childhood illnesses. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A sizable portion of children were unvaccinated and had at least one childhood sickness while the war was in progress. Particularly, people who live in rural areas reported a higher percentage of children's illnesses but a lower use of child health services. To lower childhood morbidity and mortality in the besieged area, such as Tigray, local to global actors need to get coordinated and warrying parties should stop weaponization of vaccination healthcare services.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1752-1505
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00545-6
ID  - ref1
ER  -