ArticleConflict and health2026
The impact of political instability on HIV services in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar following the military coup: a qualitative study.
Article in Conflict and health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionPeople living with HIV (PLHIV) and individuals at risk require consistent access to comprehensive HIV services. Political instability exacerbates existing challenges in HIV care by disrupting health systems, leading to medicine shortages, depletion of the healthcare workforce, and damage to essential infrastructure. Since 2021 military coup in Myanmar, there has been a lack of updated information on the status of HIV services in conflict-affected areas.
methodsA cross-sectional online qualitative study was conducted from July to December 2024 in conflict-affected regions (Sagaing, Magway and Bago regions) of Myanmar. In-depth interviews (IDIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted via the Zoom platform with 18 healthcare providers from hospitals/clinics and health administrators, and 10 PLHIV from a trusted network. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was applied, and triangulation was performed across different participant groups to enhance the validity of the findings.
resultsA total of 28 participants were included in the study. Since 2021, HIV prevention services have been severely constrained due to limited resources and ongoing conflict. While all pregnant women are screened for HIV during antenatal care, the availability of PMTCT (prevention of mother-to-child transmission) syrup for newborns remains extremely limited. Antiretroviral drugs for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are available in only certain facilities, and in limited quantities. HIV testing services are available in most areas, primarily at health facilities, but confirmatory testing is restricted to a small number of general health centers. Early infant diagnosis is not universally available. Many PLHIV remain on waiting lists to start antiretroviral therapy (ART), with prioritization based on disease severity and local security conditions. Baseline investigations and medications for opportunistic infections are largely unavailable. Some PLHIV have been referred to the TeleRed HIV telemedicine clinic. ART interruption has been reported due to travel restrictions, internet and mobile service disruptions, and security threats. Many areas are affected by airstrikes, conflict, and a lack of essential medicines and supplies.
conclusionsThis study highlights the impact of political instability on HIV services in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. Key challenges include limited prevention services, ART shortages, and reduced accessibility to care. Without timely and comprehensive interventions to address these gaps, a rise in new HIV infections and advanced HIV disease is anticipated in the coming years.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.