Preparedness Response Research Articles

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.

Strategies for Teaching Natural Hazards to Children in Rural Communities

This research focuses on teaching strategies for natural hazards in rural educational communities, centring on El Abanico, a seismic region in Argentina with a history of destructive earthquakes. Geomorphological, tectonic, and climatic processes amplify hazards, while socio-economic factors, including a predominantly agricultural economy, informal housing, reliance on irrigation, and limited services, increase community vulnerability.The Tierra del Fuego School serves students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and its structure was severely affected by seismic and flood events in 2021. An assessment revealed deficiencies in disaster risk management within the community. In response, an intervention was implemented at the school using educational strategies focused on natural hazards, distinct from formal classroom learning and adapted to the rural context. This intervention engaged children aged 9 to 11 over a year.The objective was to explore children’s understanding of hazards in their territory, develop knowledge through interaction with the physical environment, encourage children’s expression and experiential knowledge, formulate disaster response strategies, foster resilience and preparedness, and analyse the potential for replicating these initiatives in other rural communities.The findings revealed a significant increase in knowledge of natural hazards and risk prevention among both students and teachers. The project culminated in the creation of a book that amplified the children's voices and disseminated the seismic history of the region, fostering improved seismic risk management. The educational strategies are replicable in other rural schools and can positively influence disaster risk reduction strategies while enhancing community resilience.

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

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.

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.

Emergency Response in Agricultural Industry: Radioecological Lessons from the Kyshtym Accident

The study outlines the various factors that determine the impact of the accident at the “Mayak” chemical plant on agriculture as well as the unique characteristics of the radiation levels in the affected region. In order to guarantee preparedness for any operational response, it is crucial to establish an efficient management structure that can make swift and well-informed decisions. Additionally, having access to emergency plans, prognostic calculation tools, and suitable protocols for handling emergencies are equally essential. These crucial elements are all necessary to ensure that any unexpected event can be addressed promptly and effectively. An analysis of protective measures taken at various times after the Kyshtym accident has been carried out. The paper presents the formulated key takeaways from the Kyshtym accident that pertain to emergency preparedness, the execution of organizational and agrochemical protective measures in agricultural production, and the utilization of accumulated knowledge in both science and practical applications.

The profound impact of COVID-19 on the control and care of diabetic patients: a comprehensive retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift in healthcare services, focusing on pandemic response and emergency preparedness. The Oman Ministry of Health implemented various measures to combat and control COVID-19. However, this shift disrupted routine outpatient appointments, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN). This study aims to assess the pandemic’s effect on diabetes control, by examining glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), lipid values (particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL), body weight/ body mass index (BMI), and comparing these measures to pre-pandemic levels.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 223 people with diabetes (PwD), aged 20–95 years who underwent a blood workup in 2019 and 2020 and were registered in Al-Khuwair Health Centre from March to December 2020. Data was extracted from the Al Shifa 3plus System and National Diabetic Register (NDR), and analyzed using SPSS.ResultsOut of 260 PwD identified, 223 met the inclusion criteria, while 37 were excluded due to recent diagnoses or missing follow-up in 2019. Significant changes were observed in HbA1C, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and BMI from 2019 to 2020. Mean HbA1c increased from 6.9% in 2019 to 7.2% in 2020. Mean SBP rose from 131.22 mmHg in 2019 to 134.84 mmHg in 2020, while mean BMI increased from 30.49 to 30.80. No significant changes were found in LDL levels or diastolic BP.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems globally, and the consequences on health and mortality were not only due to the direct impact of the virus, but also to the modifications in priorities. These interruptions in inconsistent care, had consequences for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes. Future strategic plans should be prepared and implemented to manage NCD cases in case of pandemics.

Assessment of Disaster Preparedness and Response Capability Among Paramedics in Arar City, KSA: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of disaster preparedness and response capability among paramedics in Arar City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 120 paramedics from 3 hospitals in Arar City. The Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET), a validated 36-item questionnaire, was used to measure knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to disaster preparedness and response. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. Results: The response rate was 91.7% (n=110). The mean overall DPET score was 3.47±0.74 out of 5, indicating moderate to high preparedness. Paramedics scored highest on knowledge of triage and evacuation (4.12±0.85), and lowest on familiarity with the hospital's disaster plan (2.86±1.09). Years of experience, previous disaster response participation, and recent training were significantly associated with higher preparedness scores (p&lt;0.05). Key perceived barriers included lack of simulations, inadequate equipment, and poor multi-agency coordination. Conclusions: Paramedics in Arar City reported moderate to high levels of disaster preparedness. However, specific areas for improvement were identified. Findings highlight the importance of regular training, drills, and interprofessional collaboration to enhance paramedics' readiness for effective disaster response. Insights from this study can inform the development of targeted interventions and policies to strengthen the resilience of local EMS systems.

Assessing socio-economic and natural vulnerability to oil spills: a case study of Azerbaijan’s Caspian shoreline

ABSTRACT This study addresses the environmental and socio-economic impacts of oil spills on the Caspian shoreline. Proactive ecological management must include diverse static and dynamic information to measure pollution’s environmental and human impacts. This study develops a hybrid environmental sensitivity index (ESI) map for Azerbaijan’s coast, integrating biological, socio-economic, and physical sensitivity data with historical risk measures. The ESI assists local and national managers to plan and improve response readiness to oil spills. The approach could also be applied across all Caspian littoral states, where increasing oil activities heighten risks in vulnerable areas.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism: A Case Study

Introduction: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but catastrophic obstetric emergency characterized by the sudden onset of cardiovascular collapse, respiratory distress, and coagulopathy, often leading to maternal and fetal mortality. Despite advancements in obstetric care, AFE remains a critical challenge due to its unpredictable nature and poor prognosis. Case presentation: Authors report a case of AFE confirmed histologically in a 42-year-old primiparous woman. The patient was induced at 41 weeks and five days of gestation due to post-term status. Following a routine delivery of a healthy 4100g infant with an Apgar score of ten at five minutes, she experienced severe postpartum hemorrhage. An artificial delivery was performed, and subsequent administration of oxytocin and sulprostone did not control the hemorrhage. Methods: The patient fell into a deep coma and suffered a cardiac arrest lasting 15 minutes, for which immediate resuscitation efforts were initiated. Due to persistent hemorrhage and signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a hemostatic hysterectomy was performed. During surgery, the patient experienced a second cardiac arrest lasting three minutes. Postoperative management involved intensive care support, but the patient unfortunately succumbed on the third postoperative day due to multi-organ failure. Histological examination of the hysterectomy specimen confirmed the presence of amniotic fluid embolism. Results: The case highlights the severe and rapid progression of AFE, leading to critical complications including multi-organ failure and death despite aggressive medical and surgical interventions. The histological confirmation of AFE underscores the diagnostic challenge and the need for heightened awareness of this condition among obstetricians. Discussion: AFE remains one of the most daunting emergencies in obstetrics due to its rapid onset and high mortality rate. Early recognition and prompt, aggressive management are crucial. However, the condition’s rarity and the absence of specific pre-mortem diagnostic tests complicate early diagnosis and intervention. This case emphasizes the need for improved strategies for early detection and management of AFE. Conclusion: Amniotic fluid embolism, despite its rare occurrence, presents a significant threat to maternal and fetal health. This case underlines the importance of understanding the condition's severe implications and the need for preparedness and rapid response to manage its devastating effects.

Time-Critical Emergencies in Suburban Parks and Outdoor Recreation Spaces.

Objective Prior studies have described the patterns of emergency medical service (EMS) activations in national parks in the United States. However, little data existsregarding EMSactivations in local and regional outdoor recreational locations. We performed a retrospective analysis of EMS activations originating from parks and recreational areas in suburban Howard County, Maryland, to characterize those activations determined to be time-critical emergencies. Methods EMS activations originating from outdoor recreational areas and parks in Howard County, Maryland, between December 2018 and December 2022, were extracted from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) electronic medical records database. Patient complaints were categorized into medical or traumatic etiologies and then determined to be "time-critical" or "non-time-critical" by two emergency physician reviewers with a tie-breaker reviewer to resolve discrepancies. Results A total of 396 EMS activations in county parks and recreational areas were recorded during the study period, with 61 (15.40%) determined to be time-critical. The most commonly occurring time-critical calls were cardiac arrest (7; 11.48%), drug/alcohol-related complaints (5; 8.20%), and altered mental status (5; 4.92%). Most EMS activations were for male patients (273; 68.94%). Pediatric patients (<18 years old) constituted 161 (40.66%) time-critical traumatic injury activations, and these numbers decreased as patient age increased. The most commonly occurring time-critical medical activations (11; 2.78%), occurred in 40-64-year-olds. The highest number of total EMS activations occurred in October, with 57 calls (14.39%), and the greatest volume of time-critical activations occurred during June, with nine calls (14.75%). Conclusion Within a suburban county's EMS system, 15.4% of the total EMS activations to parks and outdoor recreational locations were found to be time-critical, significantly higher than in other places. Patients aged 0-18 experienced the highest number of time-critical trauma-related activations, whereas those aged 40-64 had the highest number of time-critical medical activations. EMS agencies should review their activation rates in these locations to determine the need to enhance education and operational readiness for response to time-critical activations for pediatric trauma and adult medical emergencies.

Strategic vaccination responses to Chikungunya outbreaks in Rome: Insights from a dynamic transmission model.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks, driven by the expanding habitat of the Aedes albopictus mosquito and global climate change, pose a significant threat to public health. Our study evaluates the effectiveness of emergency vaccination using a dynamic disease transmission model for a potential large-scale outbreak in Rome, Italy. The model incorporates a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) framework for human and mosquito populations, taking into account temperature-dependent mosquito lifecycle dynamics, human-mosquito interactions, and various vaccination scenarios. Results indicate that emergency vaccination could significantly mitigate the impact of a CHIKV outbreak. Without vaccination, an outbreak is estimated to infect up to 6.21% of Rome's population, equating to approximately 170,762 individuals. Implementing rapid vaccination after detecting the virus in ten individuals and achieving 40% coverage could reduce infection rates by 82%, preventing 139,805 cases. Scenario and sensitivity analyses confirm that even with lower vaccination coverage rates, significant benefits are observed: at 10% coverage, the number of infections drops to 115,231, and at 20% coverage, it further reduces to 76,031. These scenarios indicate prevention of approximately 33% and 55% of infections, respectively. The findings highlight the critical role of timely vaccination interventions in outbreak settings, demonstrating that even modest coverage levels can markedly decrease the spread of CHIKV. This study underscores the importance of preparedness, early detection and adaptive response capabilities to manage emerging infectious diseases in urban centres, advocating for strategic vaccine stockpiling and rapid deployment mechanisms to enhance public health outcomes.

실습형 안전교육 프로그램이 고등학생의 소방안전의식에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to introduce the development and application of a hands-on safety education program in a unit school and to analyze the effect of the program on fire-safety awareness among high-school students. Sixty first-year high-school students in Gyeonggi-do, Korea are classified into two groups: 30 experimental students who participated in a hands-on safety education program and 30 control students who participated in a theoretical safety education program. The study analyzes the changes in students’ fire-safety awareness through pre-, post-, and follow-up tests and shows that hands-on safety education is more effective than theoretical safety education in improving fire-safety awareness. In particular, the subdomains of fire-safety awareness, such as fire prevention, fire preparedness, and direct response to fire, improved, and the effect is maintained after 39 days. Theoretical safety education improved fire prevention as well, although its effect weakened after 38 days. This study emphasizes the importance of implementing and expanding hands-on safety education in unit schools and suggests the necessity for policy changes to strengthen hands-on safety education.

Disaster health literacy for diabetics: A scoping review towards a framework.

Due to the increasing occurrence of natural disasters, it is essential to prioritize the improvement of health literacy during emergencies, particularly for individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes who are especially vulnerable in the medical sector. The primary objective of this study was to identify the key themes within an emerging framework for disaster health literacy specifically tailored for diabetics. A scoping review design was selected based on the Arksey and O'Malley framework. The published articles indexed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were retrieved up to April 2023, applying related keywords. There restrictions were placed in the English language and the study design. Textual analysis method to identify themes in the articles. The research team conducted multiple collaborative sessions to identify the themes related to health literacy during disasters based on a comprehensive review of existing literature. Three challenges were identified during the analysis process. These challenges include the difficulties encountered by diabetic patients in the early stages of disasters, the physical side effects they experience, and the major recommendations for preparedness and initial response. Subsequently, a framework was developed based on the extracted main challenges and the established logical connections between the conceptual codes, achieved through consensus among the research team. The study emphasized the importance of integrating health literacy assessment and training initiatives throughout all stages of the disaster cycle, with a specific emphasis on individuals with diabetes. By implementing such programs, it is anticipated that the overall health literacy of diabetic patients during disasters can be enhanced.

Resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system during an emergency crisis

This commentary article evaluates the healthcare system's resilience to the challenges faced in an emergency crisis in Lebanon. It tackles the limitations faced during the Beirut Port blast on August 4, 2020, as an example. Accordingly, solutions to the difficulties encountered and the importance of having an emergency preparedness plan on a national level are elaborated to insist on the importance of the healthcare system's readiness in response to any unexpected event, whether wars, explosions, or others.

Social impacts and post-disaster management in disaster-prone areas of East Java, Indonesia.

In disaster-affected areas, to restore the community's economic condition, local governments provide multiple kinds of assistance, including business capital (grants), low interest rates, production equipment, community empowerment activities, job opportunities and business partnerships with the local market. Furthermore, such strategies for disaster management should be implemented in an integrated manner, and the inclusion of local community members for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and emergency response to recovery phases are also highly recommended.

Molecular epidemiology and pathogenicity of Wesselsbron virus circulating in Africa

Wesselsbron is a neglected, mosquito-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by several species of virus-infected Aedes mosquitoes endemic to tropical regions in Africa. It affects primarily domestic livestock species with teratogenic effects, but can jump to humans. Herein, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of Wesselsbron virus in Africa using whole genome sequencing and structural analysis, and assessed its pathogenicity and tropism through in vivo experiments. A total of twenty-five isolates collected from three countries were successfully characterized. Our study is noteworthy by identifying, for the first time, inter-clade recombination events on the genome of Wesselsbron virus. However, more investigations on the precise molecular mechanisms conducting the occurrence of recombination on the genome of Wesselsbron virus, are warranted. The identification of polymorphisms on motifs of virulence and selection pressures on major proteins showed evidence of genetic evolution for Wesselsbron virus. The clade 1 was more pathogenic and neurotropic in suckling mice and the intramuscular route was found to be the best transmission mode. Our findings also provide new insights in the pathogenicity and tropism of Wesselsbron virus, which could be useful for prevention, preparedness and future outbreak response. Considering its high prevalence in mosquito populations and the increasing number of sporadic human cases, Wesselsbron virus merits more attention in terms of prevention and preparedness, as its mosquito vectors continue to globally expand and there is no vaccine.

Operational lessons learned from simulating an elimination response to a transboundary animal disease in wild animals

Transboundary animal disease (TAD) introductions can have myriad economic, ecological, and societal impacts. When TADs are introduced into wild species, rapid and intense control efforts to reduce wild animal host populations are sometimes needed to eliminate the disease and prevent endemicity and spillover to domestic animal populations. Yet, such intensive efforts are non-trivial, and the rarity of TAD introductions means that personnel rarely have direct experience with these types of operations. Thus, explicit assessments of operational challenges for these kinds of efforts can provide direction to build emergency response preparedness capacity. Here, we simulated a TAD control effort in response to initial detection of a hypothetical index case of a TAD in wild pigs (Sus scrofa) (e.g., African swine fever; ASF). We used three removal methods (aerial control, trapping, and an experimental toxic bait). Then, we conducted an after-action assessment to identify operational challenges for rapidly reducing a population of invasive wild pigs within a simulated outbreak zone. We also simulated carcass recoveries of dispatched pigs, similar to what might be conducted during a response to a TAD with carcass-based transmission (e.g., ASF virus). Here, we describe operational challenges identified during our effort, alongside technological development solutions and a priori strategy needs to improve TAD response operation outcomes.