3 research outputs found
Experiences of Female Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Challenges in Accessing Healthcare in Armed Conflict : A qualitative meta-synthesis
No full textBackground: Gender-based violence (GBV) is widespread in settings of armed conflict settings and disproportionally affects women and girls. The physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors are profound. Despite international recognition, access to essential healthcare remains limited due to persistent and complex barriers. Aim: This study aims to explore the experiences and challenges faced by female survivors of GBV in accessing healthcare services in armed conflict settings. Methodology: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted using the SPIDER framework to guide a systematic search in PubMed and CINAHL. Fifteen peer-reviewed articles underwent critical appraisal and thematic analysis. Results: Four key themes emerged: failure of the health system, structural and environmental obstacles, psychosocial and cultural barriers, and community response. Findings revealed that collapsed health infrastructure, lack of trauma-informed and reproductive care, and pervasive stigma severely limited survivors’ access to essential services. Conclusion: This literature review shows that female survivors of GBV in different armed conflict face similar multi-layered barriers to healthcare access, rooted in systemic health system and infrastructure failures, social stigma, and intersecting forms of marginalization. This underscores the worldwide need to prioritize survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and equitable sexual and reproductive healthcare responses in conflict settings
Experiences of Female Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Challenges in Accessing Healthcare in Armed Conflict : A qualitative meta-synthesis
No full textBackground: Gender-based violence (GBV) is widespread in settings of armed conflict settings and disproportionally affects women and girls. The physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors are profound. Despite international recognition, access to essential healthcare remains limited due to persistent and complex barriers. Aim: This study aims to explore the experiences and challenges faced by female survivors of GBV in accessing healthcare services in armed conflict settings. Methodology: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted using the SPIDER framework to guide a systematic search in PubMed and CINAHL. Fifteen peer-reviewed articles underwent critical appraisal and thematic analysis. Results: Four key themes emerged: failure of the health system, structural and environmental obstacles, psychosocial and cultural barriers, and community response. Findings revealed that collapsed health infrastructure, lack of trauma-informed and reproductive care, and pervasive stigma severely limited survivors’ access to essential services. Conclusion: This literature review shows that female survivors of GBV in different armed conflict face similar multi-layered barriers to healthcare access, rooted in systemic health system and infrastructure failures, social stigma, and intersecting forms of marginalization. This underscores the worldwide need to prioritize survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and equitable sexual and reproductive healthcare responses in conflict settings
