Women in Armed Conflict: Adverse Effects on Women’s Health in areas adjacent to Line of Control (LOC) in the State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K)

Abstract

The State of Jammu & Kashmir has almost 75 years long history of conflict between Pakistan and India, where women and children are mostly the victims of warfare. The present study investigated the prevalence of psychological distress, physical health including stillbirth and lack of access to medical services among women who experienced still birth in areas adjacent to combat zones of Line of Control (LOC) in the State of Azad Jammu &Kashmir. This study was conducted by using a cross-sectional survey method with 250 women interviewed. The results show that 25% of stillbirth occurred to women due to psychological distress and physical health related issues; however, 22.4% of stillbirths occurred owing to a lack of access to adequate medical services during pregnancy. Significant association was observed among the higher risk of psychological or mental distress due to cross-fire, unavailability of medical services, poor socio-economic status, social factors and still birth. Overall, more than half of the stillbirths experienced by women loving close to combat zones of LOC were due to psychological or mental factors (hypertension, anxiety, depression, stress, anemia), physical factors (injuries, disabilities, poor physical fitness), lack of access to health care facilities and poor socio-economic status of women. It is recommended that appropriate development of essential obstetric care in rural combat zones of LOC can reduce the magnitude of stillbirth and improve women physical and mental health