War-Induced Disruptions to HIV Treatment Services in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Mixed-Methods Study, Evidence for Post-Conflict Recovery.
1
Multi-Sectoral Response for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Core Process, Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Mekele,, Ethiopia
2
Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Mekele, Ethiopia
3
Tigray Health Research Iinstitution, Mekele, Ethiopia
4
Health Management Information System, Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Mekele, Ethiopia
5
Sexual and Reproductive Health, UNFPA, Shire, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the major health concerns in the world. HIV is a dual issue in war-torn nations such as Ukraine and Sub-Saharan Africa. Since November 4, 2020, both war and HIV have severely damaged the health system in the Tigray region. This study aims to assess the impact of war-induced disruptions to HIV treatment services in the Tigray region between October 2020 and December 2023.
METHODS:
A facility-based mixed study design was conducted from January to March 2024. The source population for the quantitative study consisted of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) who engaged in HIV treatment. The sample unit includes all antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic zones, except the insecure western zone. For the qualitative study, 34 PLHIV clients from case managers were purposely selected from the accessible six zones. Stata version 15 was used for the quantitative data analysis, whereas the qualitative study was done through ATLAS ti version 7.5.6.
RESULTS:
prior to the war, 43,567 clients were enrolled in the HIV chronic care; 35,467 (81%) were assessed after the war, while the other 19% were inaccessible to facilities. During the war, 1107 (2.5%) clients died, 6302 (14%) were lost to follow-up or dropped, and 12372 (35%) utilized outdated ART medication. Viral load testing was provided for 14141 (39.5%) clients; of them, 9683 (58%) had undetectable viral loads. Additionally, Laboratory commodities were severely looted and distorted, and the infrastructure of ART clinics was damaged. “There was a time when we survived only through faith in GOD.”
CONCLUSIONS:
War has a negative impact on the health of PLHIV enrolled in ART programs. Adjustments to the health-care system infrastructure, as well as an experimental inquiry into drug resistance and mutations in ART medication, will be recommended.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the major health concerns in the world. HIV is a dual issue in war-torn nations such as Ukraine and Sub-Saharan Africa. Since November 4, 2020, both war and HIV have severely damaged the health system in the Tigray region. This study aims to assess the impact of war-induced disruptions to HIV treatment services in the Tigray region between October 2020 and December 2023.
METHODS:
A facility-based mixed study design was conducted from January to March 2024. The source population for the quantitative study consisted of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) who engaged in HIV treatment. The sample unit includes all antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic zones, except the insecure western zone. For the qualitative study, 34 PLHIV clients from case managers were purposely selected from the accessible six zones. Stata version 15 was used for the quantitative data analysis, whereas the qualitative study was done through ATLAS ti version 7.5.6.
RESULTS:
prior to the war, 43,567 clients were enrolled in the HIV chronic care; 35,467 (81%) were assessed after the war, while the other 19% were inaccessible to facilities. During the war, 1107 (2.5%) clients died, 6302 (14%) were lost to follow-up or dropped, and 12372 (35%) utilized outdated ART medication. Viral load testing was provided for 14141 (39.5%) clients; of them, 9683 (58%) had undetectable viral loads. Additionally, Laboratory commodities were severely looted and distorted, and the infrastructure of ART clinics was damaged. “There was a time when we survived only through faith in GOD.”
CONCLUSIONS:
War has a negative impact on the health of PLHIV enrolled in ART programs. Adjustments to the health-care system infrastructure, as well as an experimental inquiry into drug resistance and mutations in ART medication, will be recommended.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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