Narrative Descriptive Reports on Public Health Impact of Conflict Among War-affected Zones at Amhara Region,2022

Abstract Introduction: Armed conflicts result in the interruption of clinical services, public health services, and other health-related programs and damage to the health facilities and their infrastructures Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of conflict on public health within the war-affected zones of the Amhara region.Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Amhara region. Document review and interview administered questionnaires were employed for collecting the data during the study period. Result: Based on this assessment; more than 51% of health facilities and their infrastructures were damaged and looted. About 10,333 patients on chronic disease follow-up had interrupted their treatment and follow-up for more than three to six months. And also, more than 29632 civilians died in the conflict-sourced war. Maternal and child health services have been interrupted for more than70, 000 pregnant & lactating mothers. 1035 unwanted pregnancies and 934 sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) have been occurred due to the conflictConclusion: about 51% of health facilities in the region were damaged; following this essential health services such as chronic follow non-communicable and chronic infectious disease, maternal health services, and child health services have been interrupted in the affected zones. This had led to the occurrence of maternal mortality of 233 &child mortality of 166 among those who lived in the affected area. Therefore, it needs Rapid strengthening of mobile health services, and the re-establishment of health facilities buildings and their infrastructures to reduce future morbidity and mortality