Preparedness Response Research Articles

Organizational perspectives on the impacts of scaling up overdose education and naloxone distribution in Kentucky

BackgroundEfforts to scale up overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND), an evidence-based practice for reducing opioid overdose mortality, was a major focus of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS). The aim of this analysis is to describe the qualitative perspectives of partner organizations regarding the impacts of implementing OEND in a state that used a naloxone “hub with many spokes” model for scaling up this strategy.MethodsSmall group (n = 20) and individual (n = 24) qualitative interviews were conducted with staff from 44 agencies in eight Kentucky counties that implemented OEND from April 2020 to June 2022. Interviews were conducted between 6 and 8 months after the end of the intervention. Initial deductive coding used the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, and then additional inductive sub-coding focused on passages within the OEND Effectiveness code. Thematic analysis was then utilized to identify themes regarding the impacts of implementing OEND.ResultsParticipants identified multi-level impacts of implementing OEND. At the individual-level, participants described lives being saved, greater access to naloxone for individuals served by the agency, reduced stigma toward OEND by clients, and greater client-level self-efficacy to respond to overdoses. Organizational impacts included improved staff readiness for overdose response, enhanced clinical relationships between staff and clients, and reduced staff stigma. Participants described positive impacts on their organizational networks and clients’ social networks. Community-level impacts included greater overall access and reduced stigma toward OEND.ConclusionsThese qualitative data revealed that staff from agencies involved in a community-wide effort to scale up OEND perceived multi-level benefits, including saving lives, reducing stigma, improving naloxone access, and enhancing staff and client readiness, while strengthening organizational and community networks.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04111939. Registered 30 September 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04111939

Regional Government Preparedness in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

Regional Government Preparedness in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

Perceived Preparedness and Mental Health in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK Population.

Preparedness levels have been shown to improve the outcomes for people who find themselves in an emergency. However, uptake of preparedness behaviors by the public prior to a major disaster is limited. This 2-part study examined perceived preparedness in the UK during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic (Study 1), and 2 years later (Study 2). Both studies investigated the effect of individual demographics (gender, age, perceived socioeconomic and health status) on perceived preparedness. Next, the studies examined the extent to which perceived preparedness was associated with mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms). Participants (Study 1, N = 409) completed an online survey in May to June 2020 during a national lockdown, with another sample (Study 2, N = 87) completing the same survey from March to July 2022. Across both studies, participants completed 2 to 3 different preparedness activities. Greater subjective perceptions of socioeconomic status were associated with perceived preparedness. Preparedness levels were related with better mental health, and unrelated to age and gender. Encouraging the public to engage with preparedness behaviors may not only have practical benefits but also help to protect mental well-being during a disaster.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the unplanned patient flow in a Danish healthcare region, focusing on emergency departments: a multicentre cohort study

BackgroundUnderstanding the impact of COVID-19 on the unplanned patient flow within hospitals is crucial for future preparedness planning and response strategies. We examined the impact of COVID-19 on the unplanned...

Leveraging deep-learning and unconventional data for real-time surveillance, forecasting, and early warning of respiratory pathogens outbreak.

Leveraging deep-learning and unconventional data for real-time surveillance, forecasting, and early warning of respiratory pathogens outbreak.

Assessing societal perceptions and adaptive responses to GLOF and related hazards in the upper Indus Basin, Pakistan

Pakistan has experienced a notable increase in the frequency and intensity of weather-related events and natural hazards, including floods, driven by multiple factors. This study aims to bridge the gap between hydrological sciences and community resilience by evaluating the impacts of natural hazards in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), Pakistan. The research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in addressing climate challenges. The factors considered include climate change, examining early warning systems and flood risk management, hydrological forecasting and policies, local awareness, preparedness, and adaptive responses to GLOFs and other natural hazards in UIB, including floods, earthquakes, and landslides. By using the scientific questionnaire from well-educated respondents, this study assesses local awareness, preparedness, and adaptive responses to natural hazards in the UIB. The study is also backed by descriptive analysis, frequency analysis, Relative Importance Index, and correlation analysis. The findings highlight significant public awareness and training gaps, with 30.55% of respondents highlighting deficiencies in existing hazard management practices. Additionally, 98.15% of participants gave their opinion that climate change and global warming are major contributors to GLOF events, and 78.70% reported frequent flood encounters over the past ten years. The study advocates aligning Pakistan's hazard management guidelines with international standards to optimize environmental monitoring, disaster management, and communication systems. The research offers critical insights for community resilience and sustainable climate management, providing a pathway for more informed and efficient regional decision-making.

The Perception of Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Repsonse Self-Efficacy of Nurses Following the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake on February 6, 2023: A Pathway Analysis.

To evaluate the perception of disaster preparedness and response self-efficacy of nurses living and working in the region affected by the earthquakes in Turkey on February 6, 2023. This cross-sectional, relationship-seeking research was conducted between March 10 and May 10, 2024 with 344 nurses in a hospital in the province of Kahramanmaraş, which was the epicentre of the February 2023 earthquake. A Personal Information Form, the Perception of Nurses of Disaster Preparedness Scale (PNDPS), and the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSES) were used in data collection. Pathway analysis and confirmatory factor analyis were used in the evaluation of the data. Age, gender, educational level, disaster training, and having lost someone close in a disaster were determined to have a significant effect on the perception of disaster preparedness, and response self-efficacy (P < 0.05). The perception of the stage of preparation was determined to be 0.136-fold greater in those with a disaster preparation plan (P < 0.05). Perception of the post-disaster stage was determined to be 0.130-fold greaater in those with a disaster preparation plan (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that nurses working in the earthquake region had high levels of disaster preparedness perception and response self-efficacy.

A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Rural Primary Healthcare Professionals' Capacity for Disaster Health Management Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Rural areas face additional challenges in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This study aimed to understand how rural primary healthcare professionals (PHCPs) perceive their roles, involvement, and capacity in disaster health management. For this qualitative descriptive research, semi-structured interviews were carried out with convenience and purposive samples of rural PHCPs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Open, axial, and selective coding were employed to analyse the data inductively. Five interviews were conducted before the pandemic, and ten interviews were conducted during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The themes identified were similar between the two periods. Rural PHCPs were underutilised due to a lack of awareness of their capacity and a lack of infrastructure and support for greater involvement. Rural PHCPs can be better integrated and supported in readiness for a whole-system response to future disasters. This study recommends empowering PHCPs in disaster management to promote the health and continuity of care in rural communities.

The Impact of Conducting Safety Drills Onboard Vessels on Emergency Response Preparedness of Filipino Seafarers

This study explored the effectiveness of mandatory safety drills on Filipino seafarers' emergency preparedness and response. International Maritime Organization's (IMO) first pillar, the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), mandates these drills and their frequency which are believed to enhance crew competency when emergencies occur onboard the ship. However, the repetitive nature of some drills and the potential for human error during emergencies raise questions about their overall effectiveness. To investigate the Filipino seafarers' perspective on this topic, the researchers employed snowball sampling to survey fifty (50) seafarers from three Manila shipping companies. The target population comprised of seafarers between the ages of twenty (20) and sixty (60) with one (1) to thirty (30) years of experience at sea. Subsequently, the result of firefighting, enclosed space and rescue, and abandon ship drills have a positive impact on Filipino seafarers' safety skills. This shows that frequent drills absolutely improve and make seafarers more competent. Used mainly in emergencies, safety drills are highly lifesaving and saves others' lives by cultivating teamwork efficiency and collaboration. The result further showed that there is a significant relationship between the impact of conducting safety drills and the emergency response and preparedness of Filipino seafarers. The results brought potential benefits for shipping companies, maritime training institutions, maritime students, and policymakers.

Middle-Range Theory of Disaster Cognitive Readiness in Nursing Practice Through Theory Derivation and Sentence Synthesis.

Disaster nursing is a complex, dynamic, and resource-limited working environment, like military operations. As the COVID-19 outbreak has shown, not only hospitals, but all communities need nurses who can systematically respond to disasters. It is important for nurses to possess the necessary readiness to respond to disasters with confidence and autonomy. However, there is a lack of evidence for a theoretical framework for nurses' cognitive readiness for disaster nursing. The purpose of this study was to describe the development of a middle-range theory about nurse's cognitive readiness in disaster response. Fletcher and Wind's model was modified to develop a theoretical framework for disaster cognitive readiness by using theory derivation and sentence synthesis. In the developed theory, "Disaster cognitive readiness" refers to the cognitive preparedness of nurses for effectively responding to and managing disaster situations which are in high-stakes, complex environments, achieved through a combination of education, training, and practice in essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, resilience, and ethics. The theory for disaster cognitive readiness described the competencies: knowledge, problem-solving, metacognition, decision-making, adaptability, risk-communication, resilience, and ethics. The outcomes of disaster cognitive readiness are personal (job satisfaction, professional growth) and organizational (disaster management, disaster resilience) outcomes. The results of this study are expected to be useful in developing educational and training programs that emphasize the characteristics of disaster nursing competencies and in verifying their effectiveness in enhancing disaster cognitive readiness as well as individual and organizational outcomes.

On the propagation of atmospheric Lamb waves induced by the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption

Abstract The powerful blast from the Hunga Tonga submarine volcano in the southern Pacific during violent eruption on 15 January 2022 radiated shock waves into the atmosphere, generating air pressure pulses that circled the Earth. The dominant part of the pressure pulses was known as a Lamb wave, with which we were concerned. The objectives of this study were twofold herein. We first analysed the large-scale propagating oscillations and secondly, determined the speed of the Lamb wave. The data were numerical barometric pressures recorded by weather stations of Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS), constituting air pressure readings from various locations on Earth, across which a Lamb wave travelled. The pressure records were transformed into atmospheric signatures with different speeds and frequencies, indicating the presence of Lamb waves. The readings utilised for the first and second pulses at different arrival times, where the second arrival corresponded to the Lamb wave from the antipodal point. Using these pulses, we estimated the first and return Lamb wave speeds to be ~324 m/s and ~320 m/s, respectively, within the range of the Lamb wave speed reported by previous studies. The nearly equal speeds of the first incoming and return waves suggest that energy dissipation is relatively small with increasing travel distance. For Indonesia, the result is of significance to better preparedness in response to tsunami potential by possible sources other than earthquakes of tectonic origin, such as volcano-atmospheric processes.

Strategies for Teaching Natural Hazards to Children in Rural Communities

Strategies for Teaching Natural Hazards to Children in Rural Communities

A narrative literature review to inform the development of a health threats preparedness framework in Ireland.

Public health emergency preparedness requires capacities and capabilities to respond to a diverse range of health threats. A key objective of Ireland's recent Health Protection Strategy is to enable preparedness, prevention, early detection and optimal response to health threats from all-hazards. We aimed to identify priority areas for inclusion in an evidence-based health threats preparedness framework, using lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, to inform a national health threats strategy and a strengthened emerging health threats function for Ireland. We conducted a narrative literature review to inform the health threats preparedness framework development. We carried out literature searches in two phases, from 2017 to 2022, followed by an updated search covering 2022-2024, to ensure all relevant, recent literature was captured. We used a data extraction tool to collate priority areas reported. Overarching priorities for health threats preparedness are rapid decision-making, an outcomes-based, and ethical approach. Health threats preparedness should include a risk-based, all-hazards, One Health approach, aligned with legislation. Multisectoral partnerships, collaboration and communication nationally and internationally are key, alongside clear governance structures and monitoring and evaluation. Adequate resources are required to operationalize effective and sustainable preparedness. Public health leadership must be to the fore. An effective health threats preparedness approach is legislatively mandated for European Member States. This evidence review highlights priority areas for a comprehensive health threats preparedness framework. This framework supports the development of a strengthened emerging health threats function in Ireland and may inform other Member States' preparedness.

Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire Short Version (WFRQ-9): Development and Initial Validation for Disaster Scenarios.

The study aimed to develop and validate a short scale of family resilience for disaster scenarios. The Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ-32) was adopted as the foundation for short version development. The reliability and validity were evaluated using a sample of 1015 participants collected from a population-based cross-sectional study in Hong Kong. A confirmatory factor analysis was employed to scrutinize the factor structure of the short scale. Multivariate regression modeling was adopted to investigate the key determinants that enable families to overcome adversities and disasters. The Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire Short Version (WFRQ-9) with 9 items demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties, including good explanatory power, construct validity, and high internal reliability. The WFRQ-9 presented a robust factor structure, with a 2-layer 3-factor model yielding the best fit. Proactive disaster preparedness and emergency response behaviors, and ample living space increased WFRQ-9 score. Lower education level, residence in government-subsidized housing, and having disabled family members decreased WFRQ-9 score. The validated WFRQ-9 can be used to measure family resilience in interventions aimed at improving disaster resilience. Moreover, it emphasizes the significance of fostering family resilience for improved adaptation in the face of escalating disaster risks to families and communities worldwide.

Earthquake Preparedness Measures and Response 0f the Calatagan and Mabini Municipalities in Batangas Province

Earthquake Preparedness Measures and Response 0f the Calatagan and Mabini Municipalities in Batangas Province

Adapting WHO Rapid Response Teams Advanced Training Program to Saudi Arabia's Public Health Needs: A Systematic Process.

To enhance the emergency response preparedness of public health professionals in Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organization Rapid Response Team Advanced Training Package (WHO RRT ATP) was adapted. It was designed to align with local cultural and operational contexts. A 2-day workshop was conducted involving experts who reviewed and modified the adapted WHO RRT ATP training materials. The process was structured into 7 phases: needs assessment, stakeholder analysis, cultural tailoring, content adaptation, module selection, implementation planning, and evaluation framework development. Key challenges revealed included inadequate hospital coordination, shortage of trained personnel and medical services, and insufficient knowledge of disease transmission. Core training modules were adapted, and supplementary materials were reviewed. Key considerations included addressing existing gaps, cultural sensitivity, and current outbreak trends in KSA. Participants' feedback showed high satisfaction, with 86.7% of participants providing a mean rating of 4.77 on day 1 and 80% of participants giving an average rating of 4.67 on day 2 on a Likert scale of 1-5. Cultural and country needs were key factors in the workshop's successful outcomes. The adapted training program is anticipated to significantly enhance the preparedness of health care professionals in KSA to manage public health emergencies.

NAVIGATING DEMENTIA CAREGIVING AFTER HOSPITALIZATION: CARE PARTNER EXPERIENCES

Abstract Hospitalization and the post-acute transitional period are particularly vulnerable, yet largely underexamined period, in the person living with dementia and their family care partners. The care receivers’ increased care dependency and complex medical and psychosocial needs compound the chronic stress of care partners, and demand new and intensified levels of preparedness. This symposium examines the experiences of care partners and the factors impacting their preparedness and affective responses during transition from hospital to home, using data from the Family-centered Function-Focused Care (Fam-FFC) trial. The first presentation will examine the mediating effects of patient clinical factors on the relationship between care partner preparedness and desire to seek long-term care admission at the time of hospital discharge. Next, the needs for preparedness during transition from hospitalization, as reported by care partners will be discussed. The third paper will describe care partner characteristics that influence care partner preparedness at hospital discharge, and two- and six-months post-discharge. The final presentation will report on the mediational relationship among behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), associated care partner distress, and care partner adverse outcomes from hospital discharge to six-month follow-up. Concluding the symposium, we will engage in a discussion to address unanswered questions, propose future research directions, and explore the broader implications of the findings for policy and practice.

The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?

ABSTRACT Background Digital health technologies, such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and electronic health record systems, have significantly enhanced global health security by enabling timely data collection and analysis, identifying infectious disease trends, and reducing infection risk through remote services. Objective This study assesses the role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and global health security response. It examines the application of digital health to early detection, surveillance, and data management in patient care. Methods We gathered data from scholarly articles published between 2019 and 2024 (found in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science), reports from the WHO, and case studies of recent pandemics. Topics discussed include digital health technologies, their use, benefits, and issues. We paid special attention to gathering the informed opinions and perspectives of specialists from various fields, including public health, technology, and government. The commentary synthesises these findings to offer suggestions for incorporating digital health into future pandemic preparedness and response. Results Digital tools improve communication, combat fake news, and reach the public, but data protection and public health remain challenges. Integration requires extensive research and collaboration between governments and the private sector. Conclusion The COVID-19 outbreak demonstrated the importance of digital technology in outbreak management, patient care, communication, and data sharing. As the world transitions into the post-pandemic phase, it will be important to build on these innovations and prepare for the challenges ahead in order to strengthen healthcare systems for future pandemics.

GIS based flood susceptibility mapping in the Keleghai river basin, India: a comparative assessment of bivariate statistical models

Flooding in the Keleghai River Basin, India, threatens communities with severe economic and environmental consequences. This study develops a scalable model to map flood-prone areas, providing crucial insights for disaster management using bivariate statistical methods (Frequency Ratio, Shannon Entropy, and Information Value), with analyzed eight independent variables: slope, elevation, drainage density, rainfall, topographic wetness index, normalized difference vegetation index, land use, and stream power index. In this regard, to prepared flood susceptibility maps 418 the flood point’s inventory data was extracted from ‘BHUVAN’ geospatial platform from which 293 were used for model building and 125 were used for model validation. The resulting flood susceptibility map categorizes the basin into zones of varying flood susceptibility levels, ranging from very low to very high. Approximately 38%, 52.49% and 49.82% of the basin falls within the high and very high susceptibility categories according to the Frequency Ratio, Shannon Entropy and Information Value methods respectively and the accuracy of the models validated by the ROC curve. The success rates are 0.828, 0.844 and 0.829, whereas prediction rate are 0.816, 0.815 and 0.811 for the models of Frequency Ratio, Shannon Entropy and Information Value respectively. The generated flood susceptibility map will serve as a valuable tool for local authorities and decision-makers, enabling informed land-use planning, emergency response preparedness, and the implementation of appropriate flood mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the methodology employed in this study can be adapted and replicated in other river basins, contributing to enhanced flood risk management efforts at regional and national scales.

ПРЕДСЕДАТЕЛЬСТВО РОССИИ В АРКТИЧЕСКОМ СОВЕТЕ. ЧРЕЗВЫЧАЙНЫЕ МЕРОПРИЯТИЯ

The Arctic Council is described, the history of its formation, structure, and the activities of the EMERCOM of Russia in the working group on prevention, preparedness and emergency response are presented. Most of the publication is devoted to the approaches of the Russian Federation to issues of interaction within the framework of the Arctic council. The characteristic features of the Arctic council are noted, including the absence of military-oriented tasks. The content and implementation of the Plan of main activities in connection with the chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Arctic council in 2021–2023 are analyzed. In the context of emergency prevention in the region, there is a general increase in tension in the Arctic in the context of the impact of a special military operation in Ukraine. It is concluded that the solution of the urgent problems of the region is possible only on the basis of balanced and mutually beneficial international cooperation for the development of the Arctic zone.