The impact of the Russian invasion on healthcare for people with spina bifida in Ukraine.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Boyarchuk, Oksana; Koshmaniuk, Mariana
- Source
- Disability & Society. 2024, Vol. 39 Issue 3, p817-821. 5p.
- Subject
- *HEALTH services accessibility
*SPINA bifida
*MENTAL health
*MEDICAL care
*WAR
*MOVEMENT disorders
*SURVEYS
*COUNSELING
*SOCIAL support
- Language
- ISSN
- 0968-7599
War conflict is especially difficult for people with disabilities and their families. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on the lives of people with spina bifida. We initiated an online survey for people with spina bifida and 53 respondents gave answers. The survey showed that Russian aggression has a significant negative impact on the health of people with spina bifida: their access to basic services (in more than 50% of respondents), and to treatment (in more than 35%) and rehabilitation (in 62.3%). The most vulnerable were people with limited motor activity. Mental health of people was also greatly affected (in 67.9%). Counseling, information and psychological sustentation are important components of support for people with spina bifida and their families during wartime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]