Precautions taken before an earthquake are of vital importance. When buildings collapse, the weight of the ceiling crushes objects such as furniture, leaving a space or void within the rubble. This area is called the “triangle of life.” The larger and stronger the object, the more it will maintain its volume; the more the object maintains its volume, the larger the void will be, and the less likely it is that the person who uses this void will be injured.
Methods:
Durable, solid furniture such as beds and tables that can be tipped over during an earthquake in appropriate areas in the building can form a living triangle. Creating and using the triangle of life is the method of protection in an earthquake that produces the highest probability of survival.
Results:
Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, on February 6, 2023. This report presents the case of a 43-y-old female victim of these earthquakes who used the triangle of life to survive; she was removed from the rubble 164 h after the earthquake.
Conclusions:
The case provides evidence that predetermining areas in which the triangle of life can be formed and storing supplies necessary for survival can decrease morbidity and mortality in an earthquake.
{"title":"Earthquake in Turkey: The Triangle of Life and Disaster Kits Saves Lives","authors":"Fatma Zehra Ağan, Çiğdem Cindoğlu","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.54","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.54","url":null,"abstract":"<span>Objective:</span><p>Precautions taken before an earthquake are of vital importance. When buildings collapse, the weight of the ceiling crushes objects such as furniture, leaving a space or void within the rubble. This area is called the “triangle of life.” The larger and stronger the object, the more it will maintain its volume; the more the object maintains its volume, the larger the void will be, and the less likely it is that the person who uses this void will be injured.</p><span>Methods:</span><p>Durable, solid furniture such as beds and tables that can be tipped over during an earthquake in appropriate areas in the building can form a living triangle. Creating and using the triangle of life is the method of protection in an earthquake that produces the highest probability of survival.</p><span>Results:</span><p>Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, on February 6, 2023. This report presents the case of a 43-y-old female victim of these earthquakes who used the triangle of life to survive; she was removed from the rubble 164 h after the earthquake.</p><span>Conclusions:</span><p>The case provides evidence that predetermining areas in which the triangle of life can be formed and storing supplies necessary for survival can decrease morbidity and mortality in an earthquake.</p>","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140637219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thom S. Maciulewicz, Ziad Kazzi, Irene L. Navis, Gregory J. Nelsen, Theodore J. Cieslak, Christopher Newton, Anna Lin, Doneen J. West, Frank G. Walter
The war in Ukraine raises concerns for potential hazards of radiological and nuclear incidents. Children are particularly vulnerable in these incidents and may need pharmaceutical countermeasures, including antidotes and cytokines. Searches found no published study comparing pediatric indications and dosing among standard references detailing pediatric medications for these incidents. This study addresses this gap by collecting, tabulating, and disseminating this information to healthcare professionals caring for children. Expert consensus chose the following references to compare their pediatric indications and dosing of medical countermeasures for radiation exposure and internal contamination with radioactive materials: Advanced Hazmat Life Support (AHLS) for Radiological Incidents and Terrorism, DailyMed, Internal Contamination Clinical Reference, Medical Aspects of Radiation Incidents, and Medical Management of Radiological Casualties, as well as Micromedex, POISINDEX, and Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM). This is the first study comparing pediatric indications and dosing for medical countermeasures among commonly used references for radiological and nuclear incidents.
{"title":"Pediatric Medical Countermeasures: Antidotes and Cytokines for Radiological and Nuclear Incidents and Terrorism","authors":"Thom S. Maciulewicz, Ziad Kazzi, Irene L. Navis, Gregory J. Nelsen, Theodore J. Cieslak, Christopher Newton, Anna Lin, Doneen J. West, Frank G. Walter","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.35","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.35","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The war in Ukraine raises concerns for potential hazards of radiological and nuclear incidents. Children are particularly vulnerable in these incidents and may need pharmaceutical countermeasures, including antidotes and cytokines. Searches found no published study comparing pediatric indications and dosing among standard references detailing pediatric medications for these incidents. This study addresses this gap by collecting, tabulating, and disseminating this information to healthcare professionals caring for children. Expert consensus chose the following references to compare their pediatric indications and dosing of medical countermeasures for radiation exposure and internal contamination with radioactive materials: <span>Advanced Hazmat Life Support (AHLS) for Radiological Incidents and Terrorism</span>, <span>DailyMed</span>, <span>Internal Contamination Clinical Reference</span>, <span>Medical Aspects of Radiation Incidents</span>, and <span>Medical Management of Radiological Casualties</span>, as well as Micromedex, <span>POISINDEX</span>, and <span>Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM)</span>. This is the first study comparing pediatric indications and dosing for medical countermeasures among commonly used references for radiological and nuclear incidents.</p>","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140637388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sadia Ashraf, M. Patwary, S. Shoib, Majid Omari, B. Zarrouq
{"title":"Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Children Affected in the Morocco Earthquake - CORRIGENDUM.","authors":"Sadia Ashraf, M. Patwary, S. Shoib, Majid Omari, B. Zarrouq","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.75","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.75","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140672436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Krzysztof Goniewicz, A. Khorram‐Manesh, Frederick M. Burkle
{"title":"Empowering Communities in Geopolitical Crises: A Role for Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.","authors":"Krzysztof Goniewicz, A. Khorram‐Manesh, Frederick M. Burkle","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.87","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.87","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140685253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abid Hussain Khuwaja, Khalida Naz Memon, Feriha Fatima Khidri, Hina Riaz, Imran ul Hassan Khuwaja
A cross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted in Badin, a rural area in southern Sindh, which is considered a high-risk disaster zone, to assess the vulnerability, preparedness, and disaster experiences of the coastal population. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the villages, study area, and 3 distinct populations (I, II, and III). Family heads of households were recruited for population I, village heads for population II, and community support group leaders from selected clusters for population III. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews. The results revealed that the population of rural southern Sindh, Pakistan, is highly vulnerable to disasters and exhibits lower levels of preparedness. The statistics about the vulnerable population may prove helpful in designing policies targeting specific groups to mitigate hazards in the future.
巴丁是信德省南部的一个农村地区,被认为是高风险灾害区,我们在巴丁开展了一项横断面混合方法研究,以评估沿海居民的脆弱性、备灾情况和灾害经验。采用多阶段抽样技术选择了村庄、研究区域和 3 个不同的人群(I、II 和 III)。在 I 人口中招募了家庭户主,在 II 人口中招募了村长,在 III 人口中从选定的集群中招募了社区支持小组组长。调查通过面对面访谈的方式进行。调查结果显示,巴基斯坦信德省南部农村地区的居民极易受到灾害的影响,备灾水平较低。有关弱势人口的统计数据可能有助于今后制定针对特定群体的减灾政策。
{"title":"Vulnerability, Preparedness, and Previous Experience of Disasters Among the Population of a High Hazard Region—Rural Southern Sindh, Pakistan","authors":"Abid Hussain Khuwaja, Khalida Naz Memon, Feriha Fatima Khidri, Hina Riaz, Imran ul Hassan Khuwaja","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.39","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.39","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A cross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted in Badin, a rural area in southern Sindh, which is considered a high-risk disaster zone, to assess the vulnerability, preparedness, and disaster experiences of the coastal population. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the villages, study area, and 3 distinct populations (I, II, and III). Family heads of households were recruited for population I, village heads for population II, and community support group leaders from selected clusters for population III. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews. The results revealed that the population of rural southern Sindh, Pakistan, is highly vulnerable to disasters and exhibits lower levels of preparedness. The statistics about the vulnerable population may prove helpful in designing policies targeting specific groups to mitigate hazards in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140592023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Womi-Eteng Oboma Eteng, Wessam Mankoula, Merawi Aragaw, Ibrahima Sonko, Mathew Tut, Dennis Kibiye, Lul Riek, Ahmed Ogwell Ouma
In July 2022, on the sidelines of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union and the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, Heads of state and government, and leaders of delegations of African Union Member States called on member states, African Union through Africa CDC, and partners to recognize, prioritize, and accelerate the establishment and strengthening of public health emergency operation centers (PHEOCs) in the context of health security and in line with Africa’s new public health order. Implementing the declaration requires a multi-dimensional approach that spans across governance, operational capabilities, partnerships, workforce development, and sustainable financing.
{"title":"Lusaka Call-to-Action 2022: A Call to Strengthen Public Health Emergency Operation Centers in Africa","authors":"Womi-Eteng Oboma Eteng, Wessam Mankoula, Merawi Aragaw, Ibrahima Sonko, Mathew Tut, Dennis Kibiye, Lul Riek, Ahmed Ogwell Ouma","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.57","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.57","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In July 2022, on the sidelines of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union and the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, Heads of state and government, and leaders of delegations of African Union Member States called on member states, African Union through Africa CDC, and partners to recognize, prioritize, and accelerate the establishment and strengthening of public health emergency operation centers (PHEOCs) in the context of health security and in line with Africa’s new public health order. Implementing the declaration requires a multi-dimensional approach that spans across governance, operational capabilities, partnerships, workforce development, and sustainable financing.</p>","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140591726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Resilient Hearts: Enhancing Healthcare Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations in the Aftermath of the Morocco Earthquake.","authors":"A. Alnajar, Baraa Mohammad, Omar Altabbakh","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.14","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140696617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
James J. James, M. Satyamitra, Tom Hu, Peter Antinozzi
{"title":"Success!","authors":"James J. James, M. Satyamitra, Tom Hu, Peter Antinozzi","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2023.242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2023.242","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140696499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aim and Background: In contemporary healthcare, the crucial importance of disaster preparedness and response within the nursing profession has gained recognition. Considering the elevated probability of encountering numerous disasters in Türkiye, it is noteworthy that limited research has been conducted in this domain. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the related factors to nurses’ disaster preparedness Türkiye through a meta-analysis method. Methods: The study was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. We searched the national databases in Türkiye and Web of Science Core Collection. Descriptive studies published in Turkish or English between 01.01.2000-31.12.2021 in Türkiye were included in the study to derive the pooled outputs. Results: A total of nine studies, encompassing a sample size of 3222 nurses, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis’ results revealed that gender and prior experience with disasters did not exhibit a statistically significant impact on nurses’ disaster preparedness (p>0.05). Conversely, engaging in disaster education programs, familiarizing oneself with disaster plans, and actively participating in disaster drills were found to have a significant positive effect on nurses’ preparedness for disasters (p<0.05). However, it is worth noting that the analysis of disaster experience exhibited substantial heterogeneity (I2=85.6%), indicating variations among the included studies. Similarly, the analysis related to reading disaster plans also demonstrated high heterogeneity (I2=77.7%). Conclusion: Based on the available evidence from the meta-analysis, it can be concluded that receiving disaster education, reading disaster plans, and participating in disaster drills have a positive and significant impact on nurses’ perception of disaster preparedness.
{"title":"Investigating Factors Influencing Disaster Preparedness Perception of Nurses in Turkey:A Meta-Analytic Approach","authors":"Fadime Ulupınar, Büşra Altınel, Manar Aslan","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.66","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.66","url":null,"abstract":"Aim and Background: In contemporary healthcare, the crucial importance of disaster preparedness and response within the nursing profession has gained recognition. Considering the elevated probability of encountering numerous disasters in Türkiye, it is noteworthy that limited research has been conducted in this domain. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the related factors to nurses’ disaster preparedness Türkiye through a meta-analysis method. Methods: The study was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. We searched the national databases in Türkiye and Web of Science Core Collection. Descriptive studies published in Turkish or English between 01.01.2000-31.12.2021 in Türkiye were included in the study to derive the pooled outputs. Results: A total of nine studies, encompassing a sample size of 3222 nurses, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis’ results revealed that gender and prior experience with disasters did not exhibit a statistically significant impact on nurses’ disaster preparedness (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>>0.05). Conversely, engaging in disaster education programs, familiarizing oneself with disaster plans, and actively participating in disaster drills were found to have a significant positive effect on nurses’ preparedness for disasters (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic><0.05). However, it is worth noting that the analysis of disaster experience exhibited substantial heterogeneity (I<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>=85.6%), indicating variations among the included studies. Similarly, the analysis related to reading disaster plans also demonstrated high heterogeneity (I<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>=77.7%). Conclusion: Based on the available evidence from the meta-analysis, it can be concluded that receiving disaster education, reading disaster plans, and participating in disaster drills have a positive and significant impact on nurses’ perception of disaster preparedness.","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140591729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zakaria Mani, Virginia Plummer, Lisa Kuhn, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Derrick Tin, Krzysztof Goniewicz
Objective: Escalating global challenges such as disasters, conflict, and climate change underline the importance of addressing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) terrorism for sustainable public health strategies. This study aims to provide a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of CBRN incidents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, emphasizing the necessity of sustainable responses to safeguard healthcare infrastructures. Methods: Utilizing a retrospective approach, this research analyzes data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) covering the period from 2003 to 2020. The study focuses on examining the frequency, characteristics, and consequences of CBRN incidents in the MENA region to identify patterns and trends that pose significant challenges to public health systems. Results: The analysis revealed a significant clustering of CBRN incidents in Iraq and Syria, with a predominant involvement of chemical agents. These findings indicate the extensive impact of CBRN terrorism on healthcare infrastructures, highlighting the challenges in providing immediate health responses and the necessity for long-term recovery strategies. Conclusions: The study underscores the need for improved healthcare preparedness, robust emergency response systems, and the development of sustainable public health policies. Advocating for international collaboration, the research contributes to the strategic adaptation of healthcare systems to mitigate the impacts of CBRN terrorism, ensuring preparedness for future incidents in the MENA region and beyond.
{"title":"Public Health Responses to CBRN Terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa","authors":"Zakaria Mani, Virginia Plummer, Lisa Kuhn, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Derrick Tin, Krzysztof Goniewicz","doi":"10.1017/dmp.2024.73","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.73","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Escalating global challenges such as disasters, conflict, and climate change underline the importance of addressing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) terrorism for sustainable public health strategies. This study aims to provide a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of CBRN incidents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, emphasizing the necessity of sustainable responses to safeguard healthcare infrastructures. Methods: Utilizing a retrospective approach, this research analyzes data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) covering the period from 2003 to 2020. The study focuses on examining the frequency, characteristics, and consequences of CBRN incidents in the MENA region to identify patterns and trends that pose significant challenges to public health systems. Results: The analysis revealed a significant clustering of CBRN incidents in Iraq and Syria, with a predominant involvement of chemical agents. These findings indicate the extensive impact of CBRN terrorism on healthcare infrastructures, highlighting the challenges in providing immediate health responses and the necessity for long-term recovery strategies. Conclusions: The study underscores the need for improved healthcare preparedness, robust emergency response systems, and the development of sustainable public health policies. Advocating for international collaboration, the research contributes to the strategic adaptation of healthcare systems to mitigate the impacts of CBRN terrorism, ensuring preparedness for future incidents in the MENA region and beyond.","PeriodicalId":54390,"journal":{"name":"Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140591337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}