Social aspects of the life of the urban and rural population of Ukraine under martial law
Researchers at the State Institution «Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» carried out a study that raises issues related to health, migration, social support, and medical needs of the Ukrainian population in the context of war. The online survey involved 2,897 people aged 18 and older, 81.7% of whom lived in urban areas and 18.3% in rural areas. Key findings of the study:
- Migration and its impact:
- 63.3% of respondents did not leave their permanent residence during the war, 22.5% moved and returned, became internally displaced, and 2.2% went abroad.
- Migration was more pronounced among women and urban residents. Rural residents were 4.4 times less likely to change their residence during the war than urban residents.
- Most migrants from villages moved to similar settlements (villages) and cities, while residents of cities and towns more often migrated to large cities.
- Employment and social support:
- 87.2% of respondents were working, studying, or combining study and work.
- A high level of social support from relatives and friends was noted by 53.2% of respondents, while only 8.8% of respondents noted a high level of social support from local authorities and social services.
- The worst support from local authorities and social services was rated by respondents in the 18-44 age group.
- Medical care:
- 81.3% of parents of school-age children said that their child needed medical care during the war, of which 18.3% were unable to receive the necessary assistance.
- In rural areas, the level of access to medical services was somewhat worse than in urban areas.
- Mental health and physical problems:
- 40.8% of respondents had non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), and 15.2% were obese. The proportion of people with obesity ranged from 11.9-14.4% in the 18-44 age group to 25.7-36.8% among people aged 60 and older.
- It was found that among rural residents, the likelihood of developing NCDs and obesity was 30% and 40% higher, respectively than among urban residents.
- Symptoms of anxiety were observed in 17.8% of men and 31.8% of women; symptoms of depression – in 24.3% of men and 36.6% of women.
- The proportion of people with symptoms of anxiety and depression in urban and rural areas did not differ statistically.
- The importance of developing social support for maintaining mental health, especially in times of war, was clearly expressed.
- Recommendations for supporting rural areas:
- To improve the situation in rural areas, it is necessary to develop programs that provide access to education, health care, small business support, and psychological assistance.
This data can serve as a basis for developing comprehensive strategies to support the population in times of war, taking into account social factors such as migration, education, formal employment, access to health care, and possible inequalities in rural areas with limited access to resources.
More information about this study is available here:
https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-497-9-7
Head of the Laboratory of the Social Determinants of Population Health
of the State Institution «Marzieiev Institute for Public Health
of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine»
Svitlana Hozak
(date of publication on the website 07.01.2025)