Psychological well-being of Ukrainian students three months after the emerge of full-scale war. / Dobrostan psychiczny ukrainskich studentów trzy miesiace po wybuchu wojny na pelna skale.

OBJECTIVES: To depict overall psychological well-being of a large group of students of different universities in Ukraine three months after the emerge of the full-scale war. METHODS: A total of 1,142 participants were asked to measure their psychological well-being on a 0-10 scale before and after the onset of full-scale war. Mental health symptoms were measured with questionnaires targeting depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep problems (ISI), eating disorders (SCOFF), alcohol abuse (CAGE), and PTSD symptoms (PC-PTSD-5). To evaluate the connection between variables a χ2 was conducted. Phi and Cramer's V coefficient were stated to demonstrate the power of the relationships. Additionally, machine learning (the XGBoost regression model) was used to build a predictive model for depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Of all respondents, 66% screened positive for PTSD symptoms, 45% - moderate and severe anxiety symptoms, 47% - moderate and severe depressive symptoms. Regarding sleep, alcohol use and eating behavior, 19% of surveyed students had signs of moderate and severe insomnia, 15% reported alcohol abuse and 31% disordered eating. The severity of the aforementioned disorders varied depending on gender, year of study, social status, etc. According to the predictive model, lower initial psychological well-being, female gender, younger age, first years of study and any traumatic experience, including multiple trauma, predicted increases in depression score. Return to home after relocation was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the high prevalence of mental health symptoms among university students in Ukraine during the first months of the full-scale war. The psychological well-being pre-war was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms in the model.

Del campo, al campus: hábitos, roles y rutinas de exguerrilleros y exguerrilleras / Do campo ao campus: hábitos, papéis e rotinas de ex-guerrilheiros e ex-guerrilheiras From the field to the campus: habits, roles, and routines of former guerrilla men and women / From the field to the campus: habits, roles, and routines of former guerrilla men and women

Resumen Introducción La terapia ocupacional colombiana ha trabajado fuertemente en investigaciones centradas en la caracterización ocupacional de población en condición de desplazamiento y víctima del conflicto armado y político. Sin embargo, son limitados los estudios acerca de la población excombatiente en el marco del post acuerdo. Objetivo Describir el proceso de habituación de exguerrilleros/as de las Fuerzas Alternativas Revolucionarias de Colombia Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) que han ingresado a una Universidad del sur occidente colombiano. Método Investigación cualitativa, transversal y descriptiva entre agosto 2019 - diciembre 2020. Se hicieron entrevistas a profundidad a dos ex guerrilleros y una ex guerrillera, estudiantes activos de la Universidad. Se realizó un análisis de contenido temático. Resultados Los resultados permitieron identificar diferencias en los roles, hábitos y rutinas de los exguerrilleros durante su participación en la organización guerrillera, el proceso de reincorporación y en la Universidad. Conclusión Dentro de la permanencia en la organización guerrillera, los roles, hábitos y rutinas de los participantes de la investigación se encontraban supeditados al régimen militar y político de las FARC- EP. Se destaca una fuerte cohesión ideológica que construye identidades y fortalece lazos entre los guerrilleros. Mientras que, en el proceso de reincorporación a la vida civil, los exguerrilleros experimentan realidades y perspectivas diferentes a la vividas dentro de la organización, como las que se hallan en el marco de un partido político, la vida familiar, laboral, universitaria, entre otras; en las que pueden elegir aquello que les interesa ser y hacer.

Resumo Introdução A terapia ocupacional colombiana tem trabalhado arduamente em pesquisas focadas na caracterização ocupacional da população deslocada e das vítimas do conflito armado e político. No entanto, os estudos sobre a população ex-combatente no quadro pós-conflito são limitados. Objetivo Descrever o processo de habituação dos ex-combatentes das FARC-EP que entraram na Universidade no sudoeste da Colômbia. Método Pesquisa qualitativa, transversal e descritiva entre agosto de 2019 - dezembro de 2020. Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com dois ex-guerrilheiros e um ex-guerrilheiro, estudantes ativos da Universidade. Foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo temático. Resultados Os resultados nos permitiram identificar diferenças nos papéis, hábitos e rotinas dos ex-guerrilheiros durante sua participação na organização, durante o processo de reincorporação e na universidade. Conclusão Durante sua permanência na organização guerrilheira,os papéis, hábitos e rotinas dos participantes foram subordinados ao regime militar e político das FARC-EP. Destaca-se uma forte coesão ideológica que constrói identidades e fortalece os laços entre os guerrilheiros. Enquanto isso, no processo de reincorporação na vida civil, os ex-guerrilheiros experimentam realidades e perspectivas diferentes daquelas vividas dentro da organização, tais como aquelas encontradas no âmbito de um partido político, vida familiar, trabalho, universidade, entre outras, nas quais eles podem escolher o que estão interessados em ser e fazer.

Abstract Introduction Colombian occupational therapy has actively engaged in research focused on the occupational characterization of populations affected by displacement and victimization due to armed and political conflict; however, research on the former combatant population within the post-agreement context remains limited. Objective To describe the habituation process of former guerrillas from the FARC-EP who have transitioned to a university setting in southwestern Colombia. Method A qualitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive study spanning from August 2019 to December 2020. In-depth interviews were conducted with three former guerrillas who are currently enrolled at the University. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The study revealed variations in the roles, habits, and routines of the former guerrillas during their time in the guerrilla organization, throughout the reincorporation process, and while attending the University. Conclusion While part of the guerilla organization, the participants' roles, habits, and routines were heavily influenced by the military and political regime of the FARC- EP. Notably, a strong ideological cohesion emerged, fostering identity formation and strengthening ties among the guerrillas. Meanwhile, the reincorporation process into civilian life, exposed the former guerrillas to new realities and perspectives different from those experienced within the organization. These include experiences related to political party activities, family life, employment, university life, among others, in which they have the autonomy to choose their interests and aspirations.

Risk and Protective Factors for Violence Against Women and Girls Living in Conflict and Natural Disaster-Affected Settings: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review provides an overview of existing research on risk and protective factors associated with violence against women and girls (VAWG) in conflict and natural disaster settings. PubMed (Medline); PsycINFO; Scopus; and Cochrane Center trials registrar were searched as well as relevant internet repositories for VAWG research. The inclusion criteria covered studies that were published between January 1995 and December 2020, documented risk and/or protective factors for VAWG in conflict or natural disaster-affected settings and included primary or secondary data analysis. A total of 1,413 records were initially identified and 86 articles (covering 77 studies) were included in the final analysis. The findings show that many preexisting risk factors for VAWG are exacerbated in armed conflict and natural disaster-affected settings. Poverty and economic stress, men's substance abuse, exposure to violence, changing gender roles in contexts of inequitable gender norms, and a lack of social support are some of the risk factors associated with male perpetration or female experience of violence. In addition, risk factors specific to experiences during armed conflict or in a natural disaster (e.g., displacement, insecurity or congestion in and around displacement camps, militarization of society, killing of family, destruction of property, etc.) are associated with higher prevalence of VAWG in these contexts.

Systematic review on chronic non-communicable disease in disaster settings.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitute the leading cause of mortality globally. Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) not only experience the largest burden of humanitarian emergencies but are also disproportionately affected by NCDs, yet primary focus on the topic is lagging. We conducted a systematic review on the effect of humanitarian disasters on NCDs in LMICs assessing epidemiology, interventions, and treatment. METHODS: A systematic search in MEDLINE, MEDLINE (PubMed, for in-process and non-indexed citations), Social Science Citation Index, and Global Health (EBSCO) for indexed articles published before December 11, 2017 was conducted, and publications reporting on NCDs and humanitarian emergencies in LMICs were included. We extracted and synthesized results using a thematic analysis approach and present the results by disease type. The study is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018088769). RESULTS: Of the 85 included publications, most reported on observational research studies and almost half (48.9%) reported on studies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), with scant studies reporting on the African and Americas regions. NCDs represented a significant burden for populations affected by humanitarian crises in our findings, despite a dearth of data from particular regions and disease categories. The majority of studies included in our review presented epidemiologic evidence for the burden of disease, while few studies addressed clinical management or intervention delivery. Commonly cited barriers to healthcare access in all phases of disaster and major disease diagnoses studied included: low levels of education, financial difficulties, displacement, illiteracy, lack of access to medications, affordability of treatment and monitoring devices, and centralized healthcare infrastructure for NCDs. Screening and prevention for NCDs in disaster-prone settings was supported. Refugee status was independently identified both as a risk factor for diagnosis with an NCD and conferring worse morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: An increased focus on the effects of, and mitigating factors for, NCDs occurring in disaster-afflicted LMICs is needed. While the majority of studies included in our review presented epidemiologic evidence for the burden of disease, research is needed to address contributing factors, interventions, and means of managing disease during humanitarian emergencies in LMICs.

Feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against infectious diseases among crisis-affected populations: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are a crucial suite of measures to prevent and control infectious disease outbreaks. Despite being particularly important for crisis-affected populations and those living in informal settlements, who typically reside in overcrowded and resource limited settings with inadequate access to healthcare, guidance on NPI implementation rarely takes the specific needs of such populations into account. We therefore conducted a systematic scoping review of the published evidence to describe the landscape of research and identify evidence gaps concerning the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of NPIs among crisis-affected populations and informal settlements. METHODS: We systematically reviewed peer-reviewed articles published between 1970 and 2020 to collate available evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of NPIs in crisis-affected populations and informal settlements. We performed quality assessments of each study using a standardised questionnaire. We analysed the data to produce descriptive summaries according to a number of categories: date of publication; geographical region of intervention; typology of crisis, shelter, modes of transmission, NPI, research design; study design; and study quality. RESULTS: Our review included 158 studies published in 85 peer-reviewed articles. Most research used low quality study designs. The acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of NPIs was highly context dependent. In general, simple and cost-effective interventions such as community-level environmental cleaning and provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services, and distribution of items for personal protection such as insecticide-treated nets, were both highly feasible and acceptable. Logistical, financial, and human resource constraints affected both the implementation and sustainability of measures. Community engagement emerged as a strong factor contributing to the effectiveness of NPIs. Conversely, measures that involve potential restriction on personal liberty such as case isolation and patient care and burial restrictions were found to be less acceptable, despite apparent effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the evidence base was variable, with substantial knowledge gaps which varied between settings and pathogens. Based on the current landscape, robust evidence-based guidance is not possible, and a research agenda is urgently required that focusses on these specific vulnerable populations. Although implementation of NPIs presents unique practical challenges in these settings, it is critical that such an agenda is put in place, and that the lessons learned from historical and present experiences are documented to build a firm evidence base.

Risk and protective factors for GBV among women and girls living in humanitarian setting: systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: While one in three women around the world are estimated to have experienced intimate partner or sexual violence, these rates are often exacerbated during conflict and humanitarian crisis. This systematic review seeks to provide an overview of existing research on risk and protective factors associated with gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict and humanitarian settings. METHODS: Studies will be searched from the following databases: PubMed (Medline); PsycINFO; Scopus; Global Health; and Cochrane Center trials registrar. In addition, targeted searches of the internet repositories for GBV will be conducted. We will include studies that are published between January 1995 and December 2020 and document risk or protective factors for gender-based violence against women and girls in conflict or humanitarian settings. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract data for the review, with a third reviewer arbitrating disputes and ensuring quality. A quality assessment of the included studies will be undertaken using a modified GRADE system. Narrative synthesis will be utilized to analyze the data. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will inform the design and delivery of GBV prevention programs in conflict and humanitarian settings as well as contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 5. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be utilized at the World Health Organization to inform efforts to prevent GBV in conflict and humanitarian settings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol has been registered with PROSEPERO ( CRD42020198695 ).