Red Cross Research Articles

Exploring Saudi paramedics’ experiences in managing adult trauma cases: a qualitative study

BackgroundSaudi paramedics face numerous challenges while providing care for adult trauma patients affecting their care but little is known about these specific challenges.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using a purposive sample of Saudi paramedics from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) across various cities. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the framework method.ResultsA total of 20 paramedics were recruited and interviewed. They identified challenges in trauma response, including coordinating care, ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of patient information, and maintaining confidence and readiness. Participants emphasized the need for independent knowledge acquisition through courses, simulations, and peer discussions. They also highlighted the need for more paramedics, strategies to reduce burnout, and the importance of accurately assessing patient conditions. Additionally, they also stressed the importance of raising public awareness to enhance trauma care.ConclusionThis study explored Saudi paramedics' experiences in managing adult trauma patients. standardized handovers, more staff, and greater public awareness are the main key needs to improve daily practice.

Hysterical motility disorders during the First World War: cases from the orthopaedic department of the Red Cross Hospital in Zagreb.

This paper examines how Vladimir Ćepulić at the orthopaedic department of the Red Cross Hospital in Zagreb described, understood and treated hysterical motility disorders between 1915 and 1917. We analysed Ćepulić's article from 1919 on 107 cases of motility disorders among World War I veterans. Our analysis involved a formal examination of historical records, articles, and contemporary literature on conversion disorders, as well as a contextual analysis of Ćepulić's work. Ćepulić's report is a rare record of patients with conversion disorder treated within an orthopaedic department during the First World War. It provides detailed descriptions and documentation including photographs. By subscribing to the hysterical aetiology of this disorder, Croatian orthopaedists employed a diverse range of treatments, such as hypnosis, suggestion, electricity, anaesthesia and surgery. We have demonstrated that a significant number of patients with motility disorders of psychogenic origin were treated at the orthopaedic department of the Red Cross Hospital in Zagreb. The detailed descriptions left by our predecessors can be used to trace the epidemiology and evolution of these disorders over time, including complex conditions like conversion disorder.

The challenges of research in the humanitarian sector: An evolving relationship

Abstract The context of humanitarian action has changed considerably over the past twenty years. These upheavals have given rise to a need to reflect on humanitarian action, as evidenced by the new focus on scientific research by humanitarian actors since the turn of the century. This new approach has led to the creation of numerous organizations dedicated to research within the sector itself, so that scientific knowledge on humanitarian action is no longer produced solely by university researchers. One such organization is the French Red Cross Foundation, founded in 2013. This organization bears witness to the diversity and depth of the issues affecting the humanitarian sector, and the challenges of responding to them. Its history and its past and present difficulties and successes also illustrate the complexity of implementing such a response. This article aims to analyze and capitalize on several examples of scientific programmes built in direct relation to the humanitarian sector, in order to draw lessons from them (success factors, difficulties encountered, testimonials of applications of research results). In the article, we provide retrospective information on collaboration between the humanitarian and social action sectors and the academic sector, and look to the future by anticipating the shortcomings and needs that organizations – like researchers – will have to address in order to nurture the solidarity practices of tomorrow.

Equality and Non-Discrimination in Armed Conflict: Humanitarian and Human Rights Law in Practice

In this edition of the Review's “Beyond the Literature” series, we have invited George Dvaladze to introduce his recent book Equality and Non-Discrimination in Armed Conflict, before then posing a series of questions to Nelly Kamunde, Mona Rishmawi, Vanessa Murphy and Alexander Breitegger. Nelly Kamunde is a lawyer in Kenya and has been working as an independent researcher, lecturer, and trainer with various institutions in international humanitarian law (IHL). Mona Rishmawi is the former Chief of the Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Vanessa Murphy is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Legal Adviser responsible for conflict-related legal issues regarding gender, the protection of children and the protection of the environment. Alexander Breitegger is a Senior Legal Adviser at the ICRC's Thematic Legal Advice Unit; he focuses on IHL and persons with disabilities as part of his thematic files and provides support for the implementation of the ICRC Vision 2030 on Disability. The Review team is grateful to all four discussants, and to George, for taking part in this engaging conversation.

Between the Temporary and Permanent: The International Red Cross and the Palestinian Refugee Camps, 1948–1950

Abstract This article focuses on the formation and transformation of the first Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank from late 1948 to early 1950. It analyzes this process as a product of an uneven interaction between Palestinian refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It demonstrates how experts’ design, ICRC delegates’ plans, refugees’ expectations, and challenges posed by climate and the terrain shaped the camp’s physical and social space. In this early period, an imminent return seemed feasible to all actors involved, and solutions on the ground oscillated between temporary and permanent. For the refugees, a long-term solution helped them survive the winter but pushed away the prospects of return. Localized ad hoc solutions were devised during this period and, moreover, consolidated into established routines and permanent camps. This article complements existing works on the history of refugees’ relationships with other aid organizations, particularly the Quakers and the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA), and traces early beginnings of processes historians have examined in later periods. This article builds on a combined reading of the ICRC archive and the contemporary Palestinian press to reconstruct the negotiation between aid workers and the refugees over the formation of the camps.

Experiencing Loneliness in Motherhood

Introduction: Motherhood is a lifelong learning process. Becoming a mother involves huge changes and a major shift in identity. We usually don’t pair loneliness with motherhood, but researchers have found that motherhood could be filled with lonely feelings. A study by the British Red Cross found that more than 83% of mothers under 30 years old feel lonely at some time. Even before COVID, one study found that more than 90 percent of moms reported feeling lonely after having kids, over one-third said they cried regularly, and more than half suffered from anxiety. This study aims to determine the problems with loneliness in motherhood and how they influence the whole family’s long-term growth and wellness. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the following keyword: (loneliness) AND (motherhood) AND (mental health) AND (maternal) using the journal publication filter for the 2018-2023 issue. Review: Loneliness isn’t only a concern for mothers but also for all family members. Mothers who experience a high degree of loneliness are likely to be depressed, which in turn leads to decreased self-esteem and poor health, and consequently the poor health of their children. Stronger involvement of the mother’s family, friends, and other support systems should be promoted. Conclusions: Researchers should pay attention to the facts that building close connections with others can stop social isolation in mothers from taking a toll on their mental health Keywords: Loneliness, Motherhood, Mental Health, Maternal

International Council of Nurses 2025 Congress: Nursing power to change the world.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) 2025 Congress, themed "Nursing Power to Change the World," will convene in Helsinki, Finland, from 9 to 13 June 2025. This landmark event celebrates a century of nursing progress and addresses contemporary challenges in healthcare. The Congress emphasises the pivotal role of nurses in enhancing healthcare equity, accessibility, and outcomes, aligning with global health policy goals such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It will feature contributions from key international organisations like the WHO and the International Committee of the Red Cross, highlighting the event's global significance. With over 10000 abstract submissions, the Congress promises a rich scientific programme, fostering knowledge exchange and professional development. Subthemes will explore nursing leadership, healthcare quality, education and the impact of transformative technologies. The Congress will also focus on advocacy, providing a platform for policy discussions on pressing global health issues. Networking opportunities will connect nurses with peers and leaders, promoting collaboration and career advancement. The inclusion of nursing students and early-career professionals underscores the commitment to nurturing the next generation of nurses. The ICN 2025 Congress is a call to action for nurses worldwide to lead transformative change in healthcare, ensuring the profession remains dynamic and influential. Join us in Helsinki to celebrate the power of nursing and explore the many ways in which nurses can lead the change in advancing global health.

Development and performance evaluation of a clinical prediction model for sepsis risk in burn patients.

Sepsis is a common and severe complication in burn patients and remains one of the leading causes of mortality. This retrospective study aimed to develop a predictive model for the risk of in-hospital sepsis among burn patients treated at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital between January 2022 and January 2024, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes through early prevention based on risk stratification. A total of 302 eligible patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts in a 7:3 ratio for model development and validation, respectively. Predictive factors were initially selected using LASSO regression, followed by logistic regression analysis to establish the prediction model and construct a nomogram. The final model incorporated 4 independent predictors: burn area (odds ratio [OR] = 1.043, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026-1.062/1%), hemoglobin (OR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.954-0.980/1 g/L), diabetes (OR = 10.91, 95% CI: 2.563-56.62), and potassium (OR = 3.091, 95% CI: 1.635-6.064/1 mmol/L). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.875 and 0.861 for the training and validation cohorts, with Youden indexes of 0.634 and 0.600, respectively. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis demonstrated good predictive accuracy and clinical utility of the model. These findings suggest that our developed model exhibits robust predictive performance for the risk of in-hospital sepsis in burn patients, and early prevention strategies based on risk stratification may potentially improve clinical outcomes.

The time is right when you make it right: Coordinating routine clusters in sustained crises

This article examines how organizations coordinate routines to achieve reliable collective action in sustained, temporally complex crises. We conducted an observational study of the Uganda Red Cross Society's Ebola emergency response operation, which lasted for almost two years. Our findings reveal that sustained crises necessitate both the enacting of clusters of interrelated routines to achieve reliable operations and the accommodating of unexpected events when coordinating these clusters. Thereby, this study contributes to research on coordinating routines in sustained crises in two ways. First, we challenge traditional views of routine clusters as stable and path-dependent, arguing that tolerating temporal conflicts between routines enables the flexible coordination of routine clusters during sustained crises. Second, we introduce the concept of temporal manipulation, which challenges existing thinking about the need for temporal alignment of routine performances. Temporal manipulation is the ability of routine participants to exercise agency by altering the past and/or future to successfully coordinate routines with diverging temporalities. This suggests that manipulating time, rather than aligning it, can be an effective means of coordination in sustained crises.

Loneliness and health in older adults: a multivariate analysis of Spanish Red Cross users living alone

ABSTRACT Objectives This study investigated the relationships between loneliness, social relations (family and non-family), and perceived health in older adults living alone in Spain. Methods The sample included 306 Spanish older adults aged 65–95 (M = 78.08, SD = 6.95) who lived alone and were Red Cross users. Bivariate relationships were tested before conducting a Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis to examine the impact of both objective and subjective components of loneliness on perceived health. Results Older participants showed worse health status, less frequent and less close relationships with their family and friends, and a higher risk of non-family isolation. Additionally, participants with lower perceived health were found to have both less frequent and closer family and non-family relations, a higher sense of loneliness, and were older. Multivariate analysis revealed that non-family relations, feelings of loneliness, and age significantly predicted 17.9% of the explained variance in perceived health (adjusted R 2 = .18, p < .001). Conclusions This research highlights the importance of non-family relations in preventing and mitigating feelings of loneliness and improving older adult’s health. These findings are particularly important as they inform the development of effective interventions and strategies to manage loneliness, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for older individuals living alone. Such strategies should be designed to increase opportunities to expand the non-family networks.

“A Kind of Therapy”: Wheelchair Sport Athletes and Health-Related Quality of Life

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning physically impaired1 wheelchair sport athletes attributed to wheelchair basketball participation as well as potential physical, psychological, and social health-related quality of life (HRQOL) benefits. Specifically, the experiences of wheelchair sport athletes from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) affected by ongoing or recent conflict were examined. Focus group participants for this study included 108 wheelchair basketball athletes (77 men and 31 women) from seven men’s and three women’s national teams at an international wheelchair basketball tournament held in India. All teams were from LMICs in Africa and Asia that were served by the International Committee of the Red Cross due to recent or ongoing armed conflict. Data analysis produced three interrelated themes related to HRQOL: (1) improvements to physical health, (2) psychological impact of sport participation, and (3) social well-being. Physical benefits included improvements to physical functional capacity and decreases in medical complications. Psychological benefits included freedom and respite from inaccessibility and improved self-beliefs and feelings of capability on and off the court. Social well-being benefits included camaraderie in the team setting and positive interpersonal interactions with members of the broader community. Overall, the findings indicated that wheelchair sport is indicated as positively impacting numerous HRQOL indicators for disabled participants in LMIC and is a valuable rehabilitative option and meaningful endeavor for disabled persons.

The impact of patients’ preference for pharmaceutical dosage forms on medication discontinuation among patients attending Red Cross pharmacies in Northwest Ethiopia

Medication discontinuation poses a significant challenge to the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and overall patient treatment outcomes. Improving the pharmaceutical dosage forms’ acceptability for patients, knowledge of proper ways for medication usage, and proper storage of medications play an indispensable role in enhancing patient safety. Thus the present study aimed to assess patients’ preferences for pharmaceutical dosage forms, their knowledge of storage of medications, and factors associated with medication discontinuation among patients attending Red Cross pharmacies in Northwest Ethiopia. This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from January 16, 2024, to February 15, 2024. The collected data was entered into EpiData (version 4.6.0) and statistical analysis was carried out by exporting to STATA version 14. A p-value of less than 0.05 was statistically considered as significant. Among 388 study participants, more than half (54.4%) had a history of medication discontinuation and frequency of administration was the most contributing factor (39.4%). The common reason for study participants’ dosage form preferences was the ease of use (62.1%), followed by high efficacy and safety (11.9%). Rural residency [AOR = 1.61; 95%CI: 1.03, 2.52], number of medications [AOR = 4.29; 95%CI: 2.03, 9.06], preference for the type of dosage forms [AOR = 5.86; 95% CI: 3.36, 10.21], and frequency of administration [AOR = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.55, 3.99] were factors significantly associated with medication discontinuation. The present study revealed that more than half of the study participants had a history of medication discontinuation.To reduce medication discontinuation and enhance the treatment outcome of patients, medical and pharmacy professionals should improve information concerning dosage forms and their acceptability for patients through ongoing patient education and training.

Cohort study profile: a cohort of Korean atomic bomb survivors and their offspring.

The Korean Atomic Bomb Survivor Cohort (K-ABC) study was designed to investigate the health impacts of atomic bomb exposure on Korean survivors and to explore whether these effects are passed down genetically to their descendants. This paper outlines the study's design, data collection methods, baseline sociodemographic characteristics, exposure status, and disease prevalence among the participants, based on survey responses and health examinations. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 2,544 individuals, comprising 1,109 atomic bomb survivors (G1), 1,193 children of G1 (G2), and 242 grandchildren of G1 (G3), consented to participate in the study. Of these, 1,828 participants (659 in G1, 927 in G2, and 242 in G3) completed the survey and underwent health examinations, representing a participation rate of 71.9%. Exposure information was gathered using a questionnaire and verified through records from the Korean Red Cross and a handbook issued by the Japanese government. Disease prevalence was determined based on participants' self-reported physician diagnoses. This study presents details about the K-ABC study and provides baseline data on the participants recruited. These data will be valuable for interpreting the results of future K-ABC studies.

Logistics Management and Service Delivery in Humanitarian Organisations in Kenya: A Case Study of Kenya Red Cross Society

The goal was to assess the effects of supplier management and information management on the KRCS’s service delivery. Goal-Setting Theory is the main theory, supported by resource-based view and institutional theory. The study targeted a population of 300 individuals using a descriptive research approach. A total of 171 individuals were chosen for the sample size using stratified random sampling. Data was acquired by means of surveys. Basic statistics were used to assess the quantitative data, and SPSS version 27 was used for data analysis. Tables were used to display the data. Inferential statistics were used to illustrate the link between the variables. Throughout the course of the study, the research investigation was guided by a few ethical criteria. The R2 values for the relationship between supplier management and service delivery were 0.642, indicating a positive association, and 0.499, suggesting that changes in supplier management may account for 49.9% of the variation in service delivery. fundamental correlation between service delivery and information management (R = 0.595), with an R2 value of 0.431, while the DV was service delivery. To ensure successful logistics management and service delivery, KRCS should improve supplier management and service delivery, which is necessary, and that they can balance organizational goals and priorities with the supplier's perspective on challenges. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes that the KRCS and communities in need of support use. KRCS service delivery can be increased by using auto- technologies. Independent variable technologies are welcomed since they will make product marking more accurate and efficient, which will improve operations.

Medical disasters or disastrous medicine? Dutch medical care in the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia (1870–1949) – three examples

ABSTRACT The author argues that medical care in the Dutch East Indies, should be re-evaluated from successful to disastrous. The author first defines a medical disaster as one in which medical care has fallen short due to its own shortcomings– or even intentionally. This contrasts with a disaster for humankind, in which also many are to be regretted, but for which healthcare is not to blame, because of, for instance, a lack of resources, manpower or knowledge. The author then looks at three different types of medical care: Red Cross aid; the public health policy to eradicate leprosy; and the military medical aid given to the Indonesian population (1946–1949). In all these colonial interests were a priority, if not the driving force. Medical humanitarianism came second at best. This produced outcomes that should be called medically disastrous. Partly this is not new: medical historians have identified colonial medicine as a tool of empire before. But what it nevertheless had achieved, defined as the medical ‘good’, was seldom questioned, cutting off medical acts and their results from their context. The question must be asked if it isn’t it time to call Dutch medical care in Indonesia disastrous in itself?

2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross Guidelines for First Aid.

Codeveloped by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, these guidelines represent the first comprehensive update of first aid treatment recommendations since 2010. Incorporating the results of structured evidence reviews from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, these guidelines cover first aid treatment for critical and common medical, traumatic, environmental, and toxicological conditions. This update emphasizes the continuous evolution of evidence evaluation and the necessity of adapting educational strategies to local needs and diverse community demographics. Existing guidelines remain relevant unless specifically updated in this publication. Key topics that are new, are substantially revised, or have significant new literature include opioid overdose, bleeding control, open chest wounds, spinal motion restriction, hypothermia, frostbite, presyncope, anaphylaxis, snakebite, oxygen administration, and the use of pulse oximetry in first aid, with the inclusion of pediatric-specific guidance as warranted.

Awakening Community Resilience: Strengthening Post-Crash Support for Road Traffic Accident Victims through Sarvodaya's Community-Based Initiatives (A Case Study)

Introduction: The provision of crash care presents a pressing health concern globally, with community-based initiatives offering a cost-effective approach to interventions. The objective of this study was to elucidate the potential community-based initiatives to enhance post-crash support for victims of road traffic accidents, specifically focusing on the efforts of Sarvodaya: a non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka.Methods: This case study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative components. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews. Purposive sampling was done to identify informants (n=37) for the questionnaire survey.Results: While the informants had mixed perceptions of Sarvodaya's present initiatives to support post-crash care, the REACT – Community Life Saver initiative garnered majority for its potential to address the needs of the Road Traffic Accident victims. Community engagement was deemed insufficient, underscoring the need for enhanced awareness programs. Collaboration with existing resources, including Community Lifesaver Programs and the Red Cross, was identified as pivotal. Strategies for community-based interventions, including awareness campaigns, first aid training, improved emergency response systems, and victim advocacy, were prioritized for implementation. Implementation challenges such as resource constraints, behavioural issues of both drivers and pedestrians, communication gaps, and policy-legal concerns were highlighted. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the effective support of Road Traffic Accident (RTA) victims at the community level.Conclusion and recommendations: The study concludes that Sarvodaya has the potential to spearhead community-based initiatives aimed at enhancing post-crash support for road traffic accident victims, pending the effective resolution of identified constraints.

Diagnostic Value of Cross-Priming Amplification Combined with CRISPR-Cas12b in Detecting Cell-Free DNA in Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

Abstract Background Diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) remains challenging. Studies have shown that detecting cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA (cf-TB) in pleural effusion can improve TPE diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of our recently developed Cross-Priming Amplification (CPA) combined with CRISPR-Cas12b (TB One-Pot) assay in detecting cf-TB for TPE. Methods Pleural effusion samples were collected from suspected TPE inpatients at Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital. After centrifugation, the precipitate was used for culture, Xpert, and pleural effusion cytological testing, while the supernatant was used for biochemical and cf-TB assays (including TB One-Pot and the quantitative PCR method (cf-TB-PCR)). Diagnostic performance was assessed based on a comprehensive reference standard (CRS). Results A total of 115 patients were included, comprising 88 CRS-diagnosed TPE cases and 27 non-TPE cases. The sensitivity of TB One-Pot in detecting pleural cf-TB for diagnosing TPE was 64.8%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.805, significantly superior to culture and Xpert (P &amp;lt;0.05). Compared with cf-TB-PCR (sensitivity: 53.4%, AUC: 0.767) and ADA (sensitivity: 52.3%, AUC: 0.761), TB One-Pot demonstrated slightly higher sensitivity and AUC, but the differences were not statistically significant (P &amp;gt;0.05). The specificity of TB One-Pot was 96.3%, while the specificity of other tests was 100%, with no statistically significant differences (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Conclusions cf-TB provides direct evidence of the etiology of TPE. TB One-Pot for detecting cf-TB in diagnosing TPE outperforms existing TB laboratory tests and may represent a more effective approach for TPE diagnosis in resource-limited settings.

Protection of ICRC’s Mandates in Non-International Armed Conflict: A case of States vis-à-vis Non-States Armed Groups

The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) focuses on giving effect the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and humanitarian principles generally. In its establishment, the ICRC was given promotive and protective mandates in both armed conflicts namely International Armed Conflicts (IAC) and Non-international Armed Conflicts (NIAC) however; mandates of ICRC in NIAC are much more limited compared to IAC. This means that, the rules of IHL governing NIAC do not provide explicitly the mandates of ICRC. Several states have developed anti-terrorism laws which aid them to fight against terrorism; these anti-terrorism laws developed by states refer NIAC as terrorism and thus, affect the mandates of ICRC during NIAC. States criminalize any organizations from providing any kind of assistance be it of humanitarian nature or not to the armed combatants during NIAC. These include armed combatants of the organized armed groups who are termed as the terrorists in case they are detained by the states armed forces. ICRC staff members have been facing difficulties in performing ICRC’s mandates over the civilians and combatants of the organized armed groups who are under urgent need of humanitarian assistance. States do not guarantee humanitarian activities by ICRC staff members to the so-called terrorists. As the result ICRC is facing accusations of being involved in terrorism. Therefore, in order to perform its mandates, ICRC needs legal access to interact by both State and Non-States Armed Groups (NSAG’s), for issuance of humanitarian assistance to the detained persons and protection of wounded and sick for their reliefs. The article carries with it a reformative agenda as far as mandates of ICRC in NIAC are concerned

Case Article—Humanitarian Supply Chains and Inventory Management: Planning Medical Supply at the International Committee of the Red Cross

This case is based on an actual project with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The rich context allows instructors to cover important topics in inventory management, supply chain management, and humanitarian logistics at a level appropriate for different student backgrounds. At a foundational level, the case presents opportunities to practice concepts like cycle stock, safety stock, and service level. Technical audiences can appreciate applications of machine learning and optimization for inventory management. Practice-oriented audiences learn about the challenges of applying commercial operations metrics and heuristics like ABC analysis to humanitarian logistics. Realistic data and models are provided. Funding: B. Thakur-Weigold acknowledges funding from the Engineering for Humanitarian Action initiative launched by the ICRC, ETH Zurich, and EPFL. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Supplemental Material: Supplemental materials are available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subcribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .