Many health services non-functional in conflict-hit areas, study finds.

• Position: Clinical report

KARACHI -- A recently published study has found that maternal and child health services in the conflict-hit parts of Pakistan are severely affected due to insecurity, unavailability of staff and damage to healthcare facilities, suggesting the need for customised strategies to promote women and child health in these areas.

The study on healthcare in Pakistan's violence-affected areas is published in BioMed Central's Conflict and Health journal.

It was conducted by researchers at the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Centre for Global Child Health at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, in two areas of Pakistan: Balochistan - with a specific focus on the Makran belt that includes the districts of Gwadar, Kech and Panjgur - and (former) Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) due to the chronic nature of conflict in these areas.

The study consisted of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the provision of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition services comparing coverage in districts facing minimal, moderate and severe levels of conflict.

Researchers found significantly lower levels of contraceptive use, facility delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccinations, and care seeking for acute respiratory infections in Balochistan's districts severely hit by violence when compared to those areas with minimal conflict.

There was no significant difference in coverage levels between moderate and severe conflict areas. A similar quantitative assessment of coverage levels in (former) Fata was not possible due to a lack of reliable quantitative data.

Suggests customised healthcare strategies in such regions

The study found that many primary healthcare facilities in (former) Fata and a few areas in the Makran division of Balochistan were not functional due to insecurity...