In:
European Journal of Public Health, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 30, No. Supplement_5 ( 2020-09-01)
Abstract:
Armed conflict is a major cause of disability and mortality, particularly in LMICs. July 12, 2006 marks the start of a 33-day war in Lebanon which resulted in at least 1191 deaths and 4409 injured, the vast majority of whom were civilians. Little is known about the consequences of war-injuries inflicted on civilians. The AUB arm of the NIHR PrOTeCT Group aims to identify 1) war-injury characteristics associated with high burden of care 2) the long-term socioeconomic burden and 3) the quality of life of the injured civilians and their access to healthcare and medicine under conditions of war. Methods This study employs a mixed-method research design by reviewing medical records of patients admitted to hospitals in Lebanon between July 12th and August 15th, 2006, conducting interviews with patients, and administering the EQ5D5L questionnaire to understand the burden of injuries and the quality of life of patients 13 years after injury. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods will be used. Preliminary Results 25 interviews have been conducted so far. Injured civilians were mostly males, average age 27. The most common mechanism of injury was blast injury. Most patients underwent multiple surgeries as well as revision surgeries. The emerging themes include description of the 1-scene and type of injury; 2-referral process from the injury site to the hospital; 3-the types of services received; and 4-the financial and non-financial long-term impact. They described the long-term burden including chronic pain, poor mobility, anxiety or depression, and limited activities of daily living. Conclusions These preliminary results show that civilians injured during the July 2006 war are experiencing physical and psychological sequelae; thus, more services need to be offered to civilians injured during war. Key messages Physical impairments related to war injuries influenced the quality of life of study participants. Affordable or free rehabilitation services need to be offered to civilians injured during war.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1101-1262
,
1464-360X
DOI:
10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1198
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2033525-8
