Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Sakthivel Selvaraj WHO Country Office, Myanmar Sakthivel Selvaraj 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Sakthivel Selvaraj WHO Country Office, Myanmar Sakthivel Selvaraj
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Pyae Phyo WHO Country Office, Myanmar Pyae Phyo
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Hnin Si Oo WHO Country Office, Myanmar Hnin Si Oo
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Rapid Assessment of Healthcare Access among Households in Earthquake Affected Areas, Myanmar |
| Public title | Rapid Assessment of Healthcare Access among Households in Earthquake Affected Areas, Myanmar |
| Background | The Central Myanmar was struck with a strong 7.7 magnitude on the Ritcher scale on 28 March. The devastation left 3,798 dead, over 5,106 injured while 106 people were still missing. Water and sanitation network collapsed in many places triggering potential risk for disease outbreaks including water-borne (e.g. cholera) and vector-borne diseases (dengue and malaria) and vaccine-preventable diseases (measles). Over 300 health facilities were damaged across 7 affected states/regions. The economic value of the damage alone is expected to be around USD 11 billion, equivalent of roughly 14% of GDP |
| Objectives | The main objectives of rapid situational assessment through survey will be to understand the current on-ground situation in earthquake-affected areas, including the extent of physical impact, community needs, challenges related to health, healthcare access disruptions, financial aspects including out-of-pocket payments, emotional and social well-being, as well as support needed and coping strategies. This will ensure evidence-based interventions in the earthquake affected areas. In specific, questions will relate to: a) episodes of illness/injury after EQ; b) spells of ailment/injury in outpatient and inpatient settings after EQ; c) households out-of-pocket expenses for medical conditions in the wake of EQ; d) care seeking and barriers in pregnancy, child birth, ante-natal and post-natal care settings; e) status of immunization schedule and disruption in receiving vaccines due to EQ; f) barriers in accessing preventive and treatment conditions for non-communicable diseases; g) care seeking for mental health, trauma, psychosocial support, etc |
| Study Methods | The proposed study falls in the realm of socio-economic research (rapid assessments of an event rather than a typical/standard research). It is intended to be cross-sectional in nature with a descriptive approach while not attempting to establish causative relationship between variables in question. The study intends to collect data from 2,000 quantitative surveys and 40 in-depth interviews from earthquake affected households to examine current healthcare access challenges, developing mental health, trauma and rehabilitation issues, along with financial barriers faced by households and communities. The data is expected to be obtained from 58 townships spanning 6 states/region including Mandalay, Sagaing, Nay Pyi Taw, Shan South, Bago East and Magway. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | As the country moves from the rescue and relief phase of earthquake impact, the recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction phase assume critical importance. Intervention in this phase is utmost important to not only rebuild health systems but also in reconstruction efforts. This requires data and critical information. Even if health systems’ data were to be made available, communities’ needs and their vulnerabilities are required to be recorded and acted upon. Therefore, evidence from this study is expected to contribute to not only knowledge advancement, but provide the critical input to strengthen health systems, policies and strategies. This is expected to improve and provide access to health care services at all levels but also provide assistance to households from preventing them spending catastrophic health care expenditure. |
| Keywords | Earthquake; Myanmar; Health-Seeking Behaviour; Access to Care; affordability of health care to households; reproductive, maternal and child health care; immunization disruption; disruption to communicable disease treatment; rehabiliation, MPHSS |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 28-May-2025 |
| End Date | 31-Jul-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | World Health Organization |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes, with randomly selected geographical areas |
| Myanmar | |
| Research Domain(s) | Health Systems Research |
| Research field(s) | Health Care Seeking/Utilization |
| Involves human subjects | No |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |