Outpatient morbidity in Slavonski Brod during 1991/1992 war in Croatia

Indirect effects of war on the health status of population in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, were assessed. The study was based on registered outpatient morbidity data in General Practice Service of Slavonski Brod Medical Centre. Data from a pre-war period (January-June 1991) were compared to the war data (July-December 1991). Health care utilization and morbidity rates significantly differed in the two time periods. The most prominent were decreased consultations rates (40%) and increased rates of intestinal infections (80%), skin infections (20%) and injuries (50%). Numerous other changes were found, but all could not be related to the war. Although the indirect war effects on health were minimal at the time of investigation, the process was visible and must be continuously observed.