The effects of armed conflict on health of children in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
- VernacularTitle:スリランカ・トリンコマレ県における武力紛争の子どもへの健康影響
- Author:
Naomi Imamura
;
Masato Ikeda
;
Etsuko Kita
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Armed Conflict; Child Health; Anthropometric Measurement; GHQ-12; Sri Lanka
- From:Journal of International Health 2016;31(4):277-288
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Introduction
In Sri Lanka, there was ethnic violence in the form of armed conflict that lasted 26 years from 1983 through 2009. The conflict between two ethnic groups were bogged down by terrorism or by foreign military intervention. It destroyed the life of inhabitants and it is thought to have inhibited the health and growth of children.
A case study was conducted in Sri Lanka to establish the effects of the armed conflict on children’s health, soon after the conflict ended. The case study was aimed at using the result for planning health administration.
Methods
400 participants aged 12 and above were selected from 10 schools of two out of 11 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Trincomalee District in Sri Lanka. 10 schools were classified into two DS Divisions, severely devastated and less devastated. Each participant was assessed, using anthropometric techniques and questionnaires including GHQ-12. Reliability of the questions was confirmed through back translation and the use of an English-Tamil questionnaire. The mean values of the anthropometric measurements, the mean values of score by factor analysis of GHQ-12 response, and various items of social environment were compared between the two regions. These different significances were tested using F-test, t-test and Chi-square test.
Results
In comparisons between two regions, body weight, height and BMI among participants in severely affected region were significantly lower. Additionally, susceptibility to infectious and endemic diseases in severely affected were significantly increased.
Four characteristics of mental health were identified, but there was no significant difference about the state of depression between the two regions.
Conclusion
Children in conflict zones are susceptible not only to malnutrition, but also infectious diseases caused by unhygienic living conditions. The application of simple anthropometric techniques and relevant knowledge and food distribution are important in evaluating and responding to these children’s health problems.