THE PROBLEM OF THE INFLUENCE OF WAR FACTORS ON THE PREGNANCY OF WOMEN IN UKRAINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/24116-4944.2024.2.15079Keywords:
pregnancy, war, Ukraine, maternal health, prenatal care, psychological impact, perinatal mortality, healthcare access, mental health, refugee women, conflict zones, reproductive health, integrated healthcareAbstract
The aim of the study – to analyze the impact of war-related factors on the health of pregnant women in Ukraine.
Materials and Methods. A review of literature exploring the effects of war on pregnant women’s health, incorporating comparative data from other war-affected regions.
Results and Discussion. The war created a limited access to medical services and exacerbated stress, resulting in higher perinatal mortality and complications during pregnancy, along with increased mental health issues among pregnant women.
Conclusions. There is an urgent need for integrated medical and psychosocial services for women in conflict zones.
References
Almoshantaf, M. B., Swed, S., Sakkour, R., & Shoib, S. (2023). War and health crisis: humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine. Int J Surg, 109(7), 2131-2132. DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000051. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JS9.0000000000000051
Ambounda, N. L., Woromogo, S. H., Yagata-Moussa, F. E., Ossouka, L. A. O., Tekem, V. N. S., Ango, E. O., & Kouanang, A. J. (2021). Primary postpartum haemorrhage at the Libreville University Hospital Centre: Epidemiological profile of women. PLoS One, 16(9), e0257544. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257544
Ankomah, A., Byaruhanga, J., Woolley, E., Boamah, S., & Akombi-Inyang, B. (2022). Double burden of malnutrition among migrants and refugees in developed countries: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLoS One, 17(8), e0273382. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273382. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273382
Armitage, R. C. (2022). War in Ukraine and health worker density. Public Health, 209, e10-e11. DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.06.001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.06.001
Awuah, W. A., Adebusoye, F. T., Tan, J. K., Ferreira, T., & Abdul-Rahman, T. (2023). The silent war: PTSD in Ukraine: insights from other war-affected nations for treating intergenerational PTSD. Int J Surg, 109(11), 3698-3699. DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000597. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JS9.0000000000000597
Ayen, S. S., Kasahun, A. W., & Zewdie, A. (2024). Depression during pregnancy and associated factors among women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 24(1), 220. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06409-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06409-y
Belyi, D., Nastina, O., Sydorenko, G., Kursina, N., Bazyka, O., Kovaliov, O., & Bazyka, D. (2023). State of cardiovascular system in militaries of ukraine armed forces under the war with russia. Probl Radiac Med Radiobiol, 28, 254-266. DOI: 10.33145/2304-8336-2023-28-254-266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33145/2304-8336-2023-28-254-266
Benoit, M., Rondeau, L., & Aubin, E. (2020). [Coming from Afar and Rediscovering Oneself: Group Intervention for Immigrant and Refugee Women Having Experienced Violence]. Sante Ment Que, 45(2), 147-168. (Venir de loin et se retrouver : intervention de groupe pour femmes immigrantes et réfugiées ayant vécu la violence.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/1075393ar
Boesten, J. (2022). Sexual violence as a weapon of war in Ukraine. BMJ, 377, o1172. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o1172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1172
Bräuer, M. D., Antón, J., George, P. M., Kuntner, L., & Wacker, J. (2015). Handling postpartum haemorrhage- obstetrics between tradition and modernity in post-war Sierra Leone. Trop Doct, 45(2), 105-113. DOI: 10.1177/0049475514557579. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0049475514557579
Cénat, J. M., Darius, W. P., Noorishad, P. G., McIntee, S. E., Dromer, E., Mukunzi, J. N., Solola, O., & Williams, M. T. (2022). War in Ukraine and Racism: The Physical and Mental Health of Refugees of Color Matters. Int J Public Health, 67, 1604990. DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604990. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604990
Chumachenko, D., & Chumachenko, T. (2022). Ukraine war: The humanitarian crisis in Kharkiv. BMJ, 376, o796. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o796. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o796
Creech, S. K., Kroll-Desrosiers, A., Benzer, J. K., Pulverman, C. S., & Mattocks, K. (2022). The impact of military sexual trauma on parent-infant bonding in a sample of perinatal women veterans. Depress Anxiety, 39(3), 201-210. DOI: 10.1002/da.23218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23218
Epstein, A., Lim, R., Johannigman, J., Fox, C. J., Inaba, K., Vercruysse, G. A., Thomas, R. W., Martin, M. J., Konstantyn, G., & Schwaitzberg, S. D. (2023). Putting Medical Boots on the Ground: Lessons from the War in Ukraine and Applications for Future Conflict with Near-Peer Adversaries. J Am Coll Surg, 237(2), 364-373. DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000707. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/XCS.0000000000000707
Escobar, M. F., Nassar, A. H., Theron, G., Barnea, E. R., Nicholson, W., Ramasauskaite, D., Lloyd, I., Chandraharan, E., Miller, S., Burke, T., Ossanan, G., Andres Carvajal, J., Ramos, I., Hincapie, M. A., Loaiza, S., & Nasner, D. (2022). FIGO recommendations on the management of postpartum hemorrhage 2022. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 157 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 3-50. DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14116
Fatusić, Z. (2001). Perinatal mortality in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. J Perinat Med, 29(3), 247-249. DOI: 10.1515/jpm.2001.035. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2001.035
Fatusić, Z., Kurjak, A., Grgić, G., & Tulumović, A. (2005). The influence of the war on perinatal and maternal mortality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 18(4), 259-263. DOI: 10.1080/147670500198501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/147670500198501
Fawcus, S. (2019). Practical approaches to managing postpartum haemorrhage with limited resources. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol, 61, 143-155. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.03.009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.03.009
Fontanarosa, P. B., Flanagin, A., & Golub, R. M. (2022). Catastrophic Health Consequences of the War in Ukraine. JAMA, 327(16), 1549-1550. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.6046. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.6046
Forbes, G., Akter, S., Miller, S., Galadanci, H., Qureshi, Z., Fawcus, S., Hofmeyr, G. J., Moran, N., Singata-Madliki, M., Dankishiya, F., Gwako, G., Osoti, A., Thomas, E., Gallos, I., Mammoliti, K. M., Devall, A., Coomarasamy, A., Althabe, F., Atkins, L.,…Lorencatto, F. (2023). Factors influencing postpartum haemorrhage detection and management and the implementation of a new postpartum haemorrhage care bundle (E-MOTIVE) in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Implement Sci, 18(1), 1. DOI: 10.1186/s13012-022-01253-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-022-01253-0
Gallos, I., Devall, A., Martin, J., Middleton, L., Beeson, L., Galadanci, H., Alwy Al-Beity, F., Qureshi, Z., Hofmeyr, G. J., Moran, N., Fawcus, S., Sheikh, L., Gwako, G., Osoti, A., Aswat, A., Mammoliti, K. M., Sindhu, K. N., Podesek, M., Horne, I.,…Coomarasamy, A. (2023). Randomized Trial of Early Detection and Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage. N Engl J Med, 389(1), 11-21. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303966. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2303966
Gazibara, T., Kisic-Tepavcevic, D., Dotlic, J., Matejic, B., Grgurevic, A., & Pekmezovic, T. (2013). Patterns of infant mortality from 1993 to 2007 in Belgrade (Serbia). Matern Child Health J, 17(4), 624-631. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-012-1039-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1039-2
Hafeez, A., Mohamud, B. K., Shiekh, M. R., Shah, S. A., & Jooma, R. (2011). Lady health workers programme in Pakistan: challenges, achievements and the way forward. J Pak Med Assoc, 61(3), 210-215.
Husain, N., Chaudhry, I. B., Afridi, M. A., Tomenson, B., & Creed, F. (2007). Life stress and depression in a tribal area of Pakistan. Br J Psychiatry, 190, 36-41. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.022913. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.106.022913
Husain, N., Creed, F., & Tomenson, B. (2000). Depression and social stress in Pakistan. Psychol Med, 30(2), 395-402. DOI: 10.1017/s0033291700001707. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291700001707
Husain, N., Cruickshank, K., Husain, M., Khan, S., Tomenson, B., & Rahman, A. (2012). Social stress and depression during pregnancy and in the postnatal period in British Pakistani mothers: a cohort study. J Affect Disord, 140(3), 268-276. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.02.009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.02.009
Husain, N., Parveen, A., Husain, M., Saeed, Q., Jafri, F., Rahman, R., Tomenson, B., & Chaudhry, I. B. (2011). Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of perinatal depression: a cohort study from urban Pakistan. Arch Womens Ment Health, 14(5), 395-403. DOI: 10.1007/s00737-011-0233-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-011-0233-3
Isosävi, S., Diab, S. Y., Qouta, S., Kangaslampi, S., Sleed, M., Kankaanpää, S., Puura, K., & Punamäki, R. L. (2020). Caregiving representations in war conditions: Associations with maternal trauma, mental health, and mother-infant interaction. Infant Ment Health J, 41(2), 246-263. DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21841. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21841
Jankowski, M., & Gujski, M. (2022). Editorial: The Public Health Implications for the Refugee Population, Particularly in Poland, Due to the War in Ukraine. Med Sci Monit, 28, e936808. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.936808
Johnson, R. J., Antonaccio, O., Botchkovar, E., & Hobfoll, S. E. (2022). War trauma and PTSD in Ukraine's civilian population: comparing urban-dwelling to internally displaced persons. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 57(9), 1807-1816. DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02176-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02176-9
Kalu, F. A., & Chukwurah, J. N. (2022). Midwives' experiences of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality from postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in Eastern Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 22(1), 474. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04804-x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04804-x
Kazi, A., Fatmi, Z., Hatcher, J., Kadir, M. M., Niaz, U., & Wasserman, G. A. (2006). Social environment and depression among pregnant women in urban areas of Pakistan: importance of social relations. Soc Sci Med, 63(6), 1466-1476. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.05.019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.05.019
Keebayoon, A., Mungmunpuntipantip, R., & Wiwanitkit, V. (2022). War in Ukraine and women's and perinatal health: Correspondence. Sex Reprod Healthc, 33, 100750. DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100750. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100750
Khalifa, D. S., Glavin, K., Bjertness, E., & Lien, L. (2015). Postnatal depression among Sudanese women: prevalence and validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 3 months postpartum. Int J Womens Health, 7, 677-684. DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.S81401. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S81401
Khan, M. N., Chiumento, A., Dherani, M., Bristow, K., Sikander, S., & Rahman, A. (2015). Psychological distress and its associations with past events in pregnant women affected by armed conflict in Swat, Pakistan: a cross sectional study. Confl Health, 9, 37. DOI: 10.1186/s13031-015-0063-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-015-0063-4
Khorram-Manesh, A., Goniewicz, K., & Burkle, F. M., (2023). Social and Healthcare Impacts of the Russian-Led Hybrid War in Ukraine - A Conflict With Unique Global Consequences. Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 17, e432. DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2023.91
Korriku, B., & Tartaraj, A. (2023). Economic effects of the war in Ukraine and recession. F1000Res, 12, 525. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.132365.3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.132365.2
Krupelnytska, L., & Morozova-Larina, O. (2023). Perinatal experiences of Ukrainian women at the beginning of the war. J Reprod Infant Psychol, 1-18. DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2240827. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2240827
Kurjak, A. (2001). Perinatal medicine in developing countries. J Perinat Med, 29(3), 175-176. DOI: 10.1515/jpm.2001.025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2001.025
Kurjak, A., & Bekavac, I. (2001). Perinatal problems in developing countries: lessons learned and future challenges. J Perinat Med, 29(3), 179-187. DOI: 10.1515/jpm.2001.027. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2001.027
Kvesić, A., Galić, K., & Vukojević, M. (2019). Humanism influencing the organization of the health care system and the ethics of medical relations in the society of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Philos Ethics Humanit Med, 14(1), 12. DOI: 10.1186/s13010-019-0082-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13010-019-0082-7
Lancaster, L., Barnes, R. F. W., Correia, M., Luis, E., Boaventura, I., Silva, P., & von Drygalski, A. (2020). Maternal death and postpartum hemorrhage in sub-Saharan Africa - A pilot study in metropolitan Mozambique. Res Pract Thromb Haemost, 4(3), 402-412. DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rth2.12311
Mal-Sarkar, T., Keyes, K., Koen, N., Barnett, W., Myer, L., Rutherford, C., Zar, H. J., Stein, D. J., & Lund, C. (2021). The relationship between childhood trauma, socioeconomic status, and maternal depression among pregnant women in a South African birth cohort study. SSM Popul Health, 14, 100770. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100770. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100770
Mattocks, K. M., Skanderson, M., Goulet, J. L., Brandt, C., Womack, J., Krebs, E., Desai, R., Justice, A., Yano, E., & Haskell, S. (2010). Pregnancy and mental health among women veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. J Womens Health (Larchmt), 19(12), 2159-2166. DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2009.1892. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2009.1892
Mumford, D. B., Saeed, K., Ahmad, I., Latif, S., & Mubbashar, M. H. (1997). Stress and psychiatric disorder in rural Punjab. A community survey. Br J Psychiatry, 170, 473-478. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.170.5.473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.170.5.473
Nigussie, J., Girma, B., Molla, A., Tamir, T., & Tilahun, R. (2022). Magnitude of postpartum hemorrhage and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Health, 19(1), 63. DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01360-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01360-7
Punamäki, R. L., Diab, S. Y., Isosävi, S., Kuittinen, S., & Qouta, S. R. (2018). Maternal pre- and postnatal mental health and infant development in war conditions: The Gaza Infant Study. Psychol Trauma, 10(2), 144-153. DOI: 10.1037/tra0000275. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000275
Radoncić F., Hudić I., Balić A., & Fatusić, Z. (2008). Perinatal outcomes during 1986-2005 in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 21(8), 567-572. DOI: 10.1080/14767050802165935. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14767050802165935
Rahman, A., & Hafeez, A. (2003). Suicidal feelings run high among mothers in refugee camps: a cross-sectional survey. Acta Psychiatr Scand, 108(5), 392-393. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00220.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00220.x
Rahman, A., Iqbal, Z., & Harrington, R. (2003). Life events, social support and depression in childbirth: perspectives from a rural community in the developing world. Psychol Med, 33(7), 1161-1167. DOI: 10.1017/s0033291703008286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291703008286
Rees, S. J., Tol, W., Mohsin, M., Tay, A. K., Tam, N., dos Reis, N., da Costa, E., Soares, C., & Silove, D. M. (2016). A high-risk group of pregnant women with elevated levels of conflict-related trauma, intimate partner violence, symptoms of depression and other forms of mental distress in post-conflict Timor-Leste. Transl Psychiatry, 6(2), e725. DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2015.212
Rodríguez-Muñoz, M. F., Chrzan-Dętkoś, M., Uka, A., García-López, H. S., Krupelnytska, L., Morozova-Larina, O., Vavilova, A., Molotokas, A., Murawska, N., & Le, H. N. (2023). The impact of the war in Ukraine on the perinatal period: Perinatal mental health for refugee women (pmh-rw) protocol. Front Psychol, 14, 1152478. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1152478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1152478
Singata-Madliki, M., Fawcus, S., Moran, N., Arends, E., Muller, E., Mandondo, S., & Hofmeyr, G. J. (2023). Implementing E-MOTIVE for detection and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage in South Africa. S Afr Med J, 113(12), 24. DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1164. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1164
Ud Din, I., Mumtaz, Z., & Ataullahjan, A. (2012). How the Taliban undermined community healthcare in Swat, Pakistan. BMJ, 344, e2093. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.e2093. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e2093
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 L. B. Markin, M. Y. Malachynska

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:
1. The authors reserve the right to authorship of the work and pass the journal right of first publication of this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License, which allows others to freely distribute the work published with reference to the authors of the original work and the first publication of this magazine.
2. Authors are entitled to enter into a separate agreement on additional non-exclusive distribution of work in the form in which it was published in the magazine (eg work place in the electronic repository institution or publish monographs in part), provided that the reference to the first publication of this magazine.
3. Policy magazine allows and encourages authors placement on the Internet (eg, in storage facilities or on personal websites) manuscript of how to submit the manuscript to the editor and during his editorial processing, since it contributes to productive scientific discussion and positive impact on the efficiency and dynamics of citing published work (see. The Effect of Open Access).