https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7598-6471
![Sample our Politics & International Relations journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5947/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Politics-International-Relations.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Conflict adversely affects respiratory health in both direct and indirect ways among populations whose health is already compromised through the compounding effects of conflict. Our aim is to review academic and grey literature relevant to respiratory health in the Syrian conflict (now more than a decade in duration) to explore its impacts on populations across Syria. We performed a scoping literature review of academic and grey literature on respiratory health in Syria between March 2011 (taken as the start of the conflict for practicality) and December 2023. Of 11,472 papers screened, 34 met the inclusion criteria, of which 29 were peer reviewed. Key themes identified included the impact of conflict on asthma diagnosis and management; the burden of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and COVID-19; the impact of chemical weapon use and the impact of destruction and interruptions to the health system(s) across Syria on respiratory health. This review highlights the need for more in-depth exploration of the impact of conflict on respiratory health in Syria with focus on social determinants, for example, shelter, public health interventions, smoking cessation, and supporting early diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions to counter the effects that conflict has had on respiratory health.
Supplemental data
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13623699.2024.2343996
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
L. Basha
L. Basha is a Syrian-Scottish doctor working in the UK.
M. Hamze
M. Hamze is a researcher, dentist and advocacy manager who currently resides in Germany.
A. Socarras
A. Socarras is a researcher working for SAMS currently residing in the US.
M. Akhtar
M. Akhter is an interventional cardiologist and humanitarian working in the US.
A. Albaik
A. Albaik and I. Hussein are doctors and MEAL specialists working in Turkey.
A. Tarakji
A. Tarakji, M. Hamadeh and R. Loutfi are doctors and humanitarians working in the US.
M. Kewara
M. Kewara is a doctor and the head of the Syrian American Medical Society’s office in Turkey.
A. Abbara
A. Abbara is a clinician, researcher and humanitarian working in the UK.