Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness最新文献

There are over 200 known zoonotic diseases. Over half of all recognized human pathogens are currently or originally zoonotic, as are 60%-76% of recent emerging pathogens, yet a few are coded in International Classification of Diseases-11 (ICD-11). The practice of animal health estimates is fragmented. The numbers and categorization of animals are not consistent across different organizations or over time. The coding attributes of ICD-11 on morbidity, mortality, and zoonoses don't exist in WAHIS. An innovation in methodology to adopt ICD-11 in World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and code for zoonoses is required. To meet the key principles of One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) and translate the One Health approach into actionable policies, there is a compelling need to estimate the magnitude of all human and animal diseases, particularly zoonoses, using the refined codes of ICD-11.

Objective: In December 2023, floods and landslides in Hanang District, Northern Tanzania, caused severe casualties, infrastructure damage, and community displacement. We describe the public health emergency response and lessons learnt during this disaster to guide future mitigations.

Methods: Retrospective data collection during the disaster was made through quantitative (description of casualties) and qualitative (interviews and focus groups) approaches to provide insights into psychosocial support, coordination, and other response pillars. Microsoft Excel (2019) was used for quantitative data analysis, and MAX Qualitative Data Analysis was used to manage qualitative data.

Results: Soft tissue injuries, bruises, and lacerations were the most common (60.43%), with 87.77% of casualties recovering and a notable fatality rate of 12.23%. Mental health and psychosocial support reached over 3300 individuals, offering depression assessments and family reconnections. Establishing a dual-level public health response team and implementing the Incident Management System demonstrated the country's response efficiency.

Conclusions: The public health emergency response to the 2023 floods and landslides in Hanang District was largely effective. This demonstrated strong coordination, capacity, and resilience of Tanzania health system; however, the fatality rate highlighted a need for further investment to improve future disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.

The emergence of Streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSS) poses a global health challenge after the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 2024, the number of STSS cases in Japan has risen to 977, surpassing the previous year's total. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep) can cause superficial infections as well as more severe conditions, including necrotizing fasciitis and STSS. It mainly spreads through respiratory droplets and open wounds, with overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation exacerbating transmission. With no definitive treatment currently available, good hygiene and effective clinical management is the key to prevention. Public education on risk factors and preventive measures, as well as disease monitoring and adherence to treatment guidelines is crucial in reducing transmission and preventing the development of complications. The potential for STSS to transform into a global pandemic necessitates international cooperation in taking actions to limit the disease. Improved healthcare infrastructure and proactive public health measures can help mitigate the risk of another global health crisis.

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between disaster literacy and disaster preparedness of the community.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult participants after a major earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 2023 (n = 414). Convenience sample was used in sample selection. Data collection instruments are the Disaster Literacy Scale-DLS and Disaster Preparedness Scale-DPS. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results: Participants' DLS score was 33.08 ± 6.72 (limited disaster literacy) and DPS score was 31.89 ± 5.15 (moderate level). A positive correlation was found between DLS and DPS scores (r = 0.242; P = 0.000). Disaster literacy scores are higher for those with higher education levels, those who have taken disaster-related training/courses, those who have a disaster plan at home, and those who have a disaster kit (P < 0.05). In community, increasing disaster literacy, having a disaster kit, insuring the house, and making family plans against disasters positively affect disaster preparedness.

Conclusions: The disaster literacy level of the participants is limited, and the disaster preparedness level is moderate. To increase the disaster literacy levels of individuals, it is recommended that public health nurses strengthen public education and disseminate disaster training in community.

Objective: 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).

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.

Objective: In 2017, the World Health Organization introduced an international standardized medical data collection tool for disasters, known as the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Minimum Data Set (MDS). The EMT MDS was activated for the first time in 2019 in response to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. The present study aimed to examine the daily and phase trends in acute mental health problems identified by international EMTs during their response to Cyclone Idai and reported using the EMT MDS.

Methods: Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine daily trends in acute mental health consultations. Trends were also examined by phases, which were identified using joinpoints.

Results: During the 90-day EMT response period following Cyclone Idai, 94 acute mental health consultations were reported. The daily trend analysis showed a significant increase in the daily number and percentage of acute mental health consultations from response onset until day 13, followed by a gradual decline (P<0.05). The phase trend analysis showed a consistent decrease across the identified phases (P for trend<0.001).

Conclusions: The findings of this study provide insight into the need for mental health support in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters and how that need may change over time.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure and examine the levels of IgG, IgM, and Spike antibody induced by inactivated vaccines, including CoronaVac and BBIBP-CorV.

Methods: Two groups of healthy adults over 18 years old (50 participants per group), who had previously received 1 dose of either BBIBP-CorV or CoronaVac and receiving either a homologous booster of BBIBP-CorV or a heterologous booster of CoronaVac. Serum IgG, IgM, and Spike antibody levels against SARS-COV-2 were measured using magnetic particle chemiluminescence immunoassay and the ELISA method.

Results: The results showed that both spike antibody and IgG/IgM antibodies elicited by a CoronaVac booster following 1 dose of BBIBP-CorV were significantly higher than those elicited by either a homologous BBIBP-CorV booster or a heterologous BBIBP-CorV booster. The Spike antibody against SARS-COV-2 induced by the heterologous CoronaVac booster reached 200.3, which is substantially greater than that induced by the homologous BBIBP-CorV booster (127.5 pg/mL). Conversely, the Spike antibody against SARS-COV-2 induced by the heterologous BBIBP-CorV booster reached 53.93 pg/mL, which is substantially greater than that induced by the homologous CoronaVac booster (9.60 pg/mL).

Conclusions: In summary, CoronaVac is immunogenic as a booster dose following 1 dose of BBIBP-CorV and is immunogenically superior to both the homologous booster and the heterologous BBIBP-CorV booster.

The number of conflict-affected individuals is climbing. Humanitarian organizations are increasingly needed to provide medical care when governments lack capacity to care for affected communities. While the World Health Organization's (WHO) Emergency Medical Team (EMT) initiative provides a verification process for organizations seeking to provide health care in the setting of various disasters, it does not address the unique operational challenges of deployment into conflict-affected communities. One solution is the implementation of a supplemental process similar to current verification procedures, wherein the WHO adopts a policy encouraging teams to complete an additional conflict-oriented verification, based on WHO Red Book recommendations, if they plan to operate in conflict settings The EMT initiative possesses expertise and the convening authority to drive international standards for care provision during health emergencies and is the obvious platform to create a rigorous process to ensure that EMTs in conflict zones are appropriately trained, vetted, and accountable.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to determine the readiness of family physicians to prevent cyberchondria.

Methods: The Family Physicians' Cyberchondria Levels Assessment Questionnaire was applied to 124 family physicians to determine readiness.

Results: Family physicians mention that there can be accurate data on diagnosis and treatments on the internet (62%), but patients' anxiety increases (88%); reach physicians and find answers on the websites of family physicians. Individuals with low health literacy research on the internet are concerned about family physicians (84.6%). Family physicians declare patients have medication with Internet information (84%), diagnose themselves with research on the internet (85.2%), and have high anxiety levels (83.2%). The family physicians use WhatsApp (90.3%) to answer patients' questions and increase cyberchondria awareness. The family physicians have knowledge about cyberchondria, accept cyberchondria as a health problem, and have computer literacy.

Conclusions: The Internet provides individuals with a low-cost and easily accessible source of health information. The patients researching the internet have high anxiety and low health literacy. To prevent cyberchondria, direct communication with family physicians, development of health literacy, and facilitating access to communication and counseling services on the internet by central health authorities are essential.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to identify the cultural factors that influence the acceptance of food aid by those affected by disasters.

Methods: A literature review was conducted on articles published in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect databases until March 30, 2023, using keywords determined within the scope of the subject. This study follows the PICOS (participation, intervention, comparison, outcomes, study desings) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Twelve articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the findings.

Results: The study comprised 12 articles, of which 3 were cross-sectional, 5 were qualitative, 1 was descriptive, and 3 were mixed method studies. Thematic analysis identified 7 themes that emerged from the cultural factors/codes affecting nutrition activities in disasters: local and traditional food, socio-economic status, faith/religion, traditional practices and habits, cultural food beliefs and taboos, food sharing, and social organization.

Conclusions: A considerable body of research indicates that the selection of local and traditional foods is a key cultural factor influencing the efficacy of nutrition interventions and food assistance programs in the aftermath of disasters. It is therefore essential to take into account the identified cultural factors in order to ensure that the nutrition intervention is both accurate and efficient, and to enhance the acceptance of the population.