This study explores how we can improve the government’s research and technology for disasters and safety.

This study employs the Structural Equation Model (SEM) based on 268 experts’ perspectives.

R&D performance exerts a directly significant impact on R&D achievement with the coefficient of 0.429. Second, while professionality and environment of R&D do not show a direct effect on achievement, they exhibit an indirect effect on it with the coefficient of 1.124 and 0.354, respectively. Third, R&D professionality exerts a significant impact on the R&D environment (0.964), and R&D environment has a positive effect on R&D performance (0.827).

Governments and policymakers should develop disaster and safety policies by understanding direct and indirect effects and the relationship of factors related to R&D for improving R&D achievement.

Robust research has established that preexisting physical and mental health conditions increase risk for adverse psychiatric outcomes after disasters. However, it is unclear if increased risk is independent of disaster exposure, and most studies have relied on retrospective reports of pre-disaster functioning.

In a pre-post sample of high-risk Puerto Rican adults (N = 361) who experienced Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we assessed: 1) whether indicators of pre-disaster depression and physical health conditions were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms; and 2) whether the effects of pre-disaster depression and physical health conditions on PTSD and MDD symptoms were indirect via disaster exposure or had exacerbated the effects of disaster exposure on PTSD and MDD symptoms.

Pre-disaster depression and physical health problems were significantly associated with higher post-disaster MDD symptoms (B = 1.50, SE = 0.36, p < .001, and B = 0.21; SE = 0.09, P = 0.016), but not PTSD symptoms. Indirect effects of pre-disaster depression and physical health symptoms via disaster exposure were non-significant, and neither moderated the association of disaster exposure on PTSD and MDD symptoms.

Research is needed to understand other pathways through which pre-disaster health conditions predict post-disaster mental health.

Mothers, particularly those who are breastfeeding, as well as their babies are often overlooked populations during natural disasters. Still, the ever-growing frequency and severity of natural disasters in the United States (US) have increased the likelihood that a breastfeeding family will experience a natural disaster. In 2019, 83% of all newborns received breastmilk, and 84% of Americans lived in an area that recently experienced a natural disaster. This scoping review aimed to identify ways to support breastfeeding women, infants, and young children during a natural disaster.

A search was performed using Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and CINHAL databases to identify articles published in the English language from September 2005—September 2023 according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Each article was chosen based on noted inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted per the pre-prepared protocol.

Ten articles were selected for the scoping review, examining key characteristics and recommendations. The authors of the included articles used varying approaches to present the information, and differing approaches to supporting breastfeeding during disasters were observed. Only 3 of the 10 articles were research studies, 3 were editorials, 2 were program descriptions or evaluations, 1 was an education article, and 1 was a report. All articles addressed women, pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and/or young children. All articles addressed hurricanes, and 1 article addressed 2 disasters: a winter storm and a hurricane.

Recommendations include the adoption of breastfeeding women, infants, and young children in disaster plans as a special population with unique needs, integration of breastfeeding support into disaster plans, and training disaster workers to support breastfeeding during disasters.

This study investigated the psychological and physiological effects of using sleeping bag-shaped aluminum sheets during night-time sleep in winter to reduce cold stimulation and improve the sleeping environment in disaster evacuation shelters.

Sixteen healthy male participants in Hiroshima City underwent 2 experimental conditions in January and December 2023: night-time sleep in winter with and without a sleeping bag-shaped aluminum sheets. Sleep–wake rhythm during night-time sleep (discriminant analysis method), subjective sleep soundness, mood state profile, heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac autonomic nervous system modulation were measured. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank sum test, Friedman’s test, and paired t-test were performed.

Thermal sensation of warmth and subjective sleep soundness were significantly greater with than without the aluminum sheets. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were also significantly greater, whereas the frequency and duration of wakefulness after sleep onset were significantly less. Total mood disturbance, fatigue-inertia, and vivid-activity were significantly different between the control, aluminum sheets, and home conditions. Physiological parameters did not differ significantly.

These data suggest that using sleeping bag-shaped aluminum sheets in disaster evacuation shelters in winter could be effective in improving sleep–wake rhythms and subjective sleep soundness, although negative emotions were not improved.

The frequency of disaster and emergency events continues to rise. Despite this, healthcare staff report a lack of emergency preparedness knowledge and training. Therefore, this study aims to understand the professional backgrounds of students enrolled in healthcare emergency management training, with the goal of highlighting enrollment trends to better utilize resources and expand training opportunities.

Over two thousand data points were retrospectively collected from emergency management course registrations. Occupational backgrounds were categorized for ease of analysis. Test of associations between occupation and course enrollment were based on the chi-square test.

Non-clinical professionals were significantly more likely to be enrolled in emergency management courses than clinical professionals. Of the clinical professionals, nurses represented the highest rates of enrollment, while physicians had the lowest enrollment rates, representing less than 2% of the data set.

This study demonstrates that occupation is correlated to variances in emergency management course enrollment. Additionally, there is a lack of clinical professionals adequately trained in disaster response, especially physicians. Thoughtfully designed emergency management courses tailored to different professional roles could be a key strategy for improving enrollment.

This report describes the implementation and evaluation of a unique escape room game/unfolding public health preparedness simulation into nursing education. The innovative approach was designed to teach disease investigation, epidemiological principles, and technical skills such as the tuberculosis (TB) skin testing techniques.

The escape room/unfolding health preparedness simulation was implemented with 29 pre-licensure nursing students and involved game-like activities as well as a realistic disaster simulation scenario with standardized patients.

The project yielded positive outcomes, with students demonstrating increased knowledge and confidence. Students also recommended the simulation for teaching disaster preparedness, highlighting its effectiveness. Evaluation data also suggested refinement of the simulation around the nurses’ roles.

While implementing this teaching innovation had challenges, the approach enhanced active learning, critical thinking, and teamwork in nursing education, preparing students for real-world health care challenges. The project underscores the importance of such simulations in training nursing students for public health emergencies. It also highlights the need for further research to assess long-term impacts on student outcomes, indicating the potential for continued improvement and development in the field.

Individuals’ COVID-19 protection and awareness could be related to their health literacy levels. This study aims to determine individuals’ COVID-19 awareness and health literacy levels in eastern Turkey and the relationship between them.

This study utilized a descriptive and correlational design. The target population was individuals aged 18-65 years who sought treatment in the emergency department of a state hospital in Turkey. The sample consisted of 762 individuals who visited the health institution where data were collected between July 15, 2021-December 15, 2021 and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the COVID-19 Awareness Scale, and the Health Literacy Scale. Ethics committee approval and institutional permissions were obtained to conduct the study. Data analysis used arithmetic means, standard deviations, skewness and kurtosis coefficients, t test, ANOVA, Welch ANOVA, Bonferroni tests, and correlation analysis.

The participants’ COVID-19 Awareness Scale total mean score was 50.71 ± 14.93, and the Health Literacy Scale total mean score was 45.03 ± 10.57. A moderate positive correlation was detected between the participants’ health literacy levels and the COVID-19 awareness scale sub-scales and total scores (r = 0.350).

The participants’ health literacy level increased with their COVID-19 awareness level. It is recommended that health literacy levels be increased to help individuals increase their awareness of COVID-19 and to protect and improve their health.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, intensified since October 2023, has critically disrupted mental health services, exacerbating issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression among the population. This systematic review aims to identify and assess the challenges faced in mental health rehabilitation during this period.

Utilizing the Arksey & O’Malley framework and PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across 6 databases. Studies focusing on barriers to mental health services for Gazan residents were selected, and data were extracted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) for quality assessment.

Eight studies were included, revealing significant barriers to accessing mental health services, including extensive damage to health care infrastructure, a shortage of trained professionals, economic hardships, and a pervasive distrust in health care institutions.

The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions and strategies to enhance access to mental health services and rebuild trust within the community. Addressing these barriers is essential for effective psychological rehabilitation and long-term recovery for the affected population in Gaza.

Agricultural workers such as migrant and seasonal farmworkers are a population uniquely vulnerable to the negative effects of climate-related disasters. The primary aim of this study was to assess how counties in eastern North Carolina (NC) incorporated best practices related to agricultural workers in emergency preparedness planning.

The authors conducted a quantitative content analysis of 47 emergency preparedness plans from 41 eastern NC counties between November 2022 and March 2023. The research team developed a codebook based on recommended best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Farmworker Advocacy Network, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and National Center for Farmworker Health. Best practices included having materials in Spanish language, mapping vulnerable populations, and garnering input from agricultural workers.

Of the 47 plans evaluated, most lacked inclusion of agricultural workers in emergency preparedness planning. Furthermore, plans demonstrated few relevant best practices that address agricultural workers’ specific challenges in preparation for and recovery from climate-related disasters.

Public emergency preparedness plans in eastern NC rarely include mention of recommended best practices related to agricultural workers. Local emergency preparedness officials should consider collaboration with advocacy groups, community health workers, and federal emergency management agencies to build disaster resilience.

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.

Explosive ordnance (EO) and explosive weapons (EW) inflict significant suffering on civilian populations in conflict and post-conflict settings. At present, there is limited coordination between humanitarian mine action (HMA) and emergency care for civilian victims of EO/EW. Key informant interviews with sector experts were conducted to evaluate strategies for enhanced engagement between HMA and emergency care capacity-building in EO/EW-affected settings.

A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted to interview HMA and health sector experts. Data were analyzed in Dedoose using deductive and inductive coding methods.

Nineteen key informants were interviewed representing sector experts in HMA, health, and policy domains intersecting with the care of EO/EW casualties. Recommendations included integration of layperson first responder trainings with EO risk education, development of prehospital casualty notification systems with standardized health facility capacity mapping, and refresher trainings for HMA medics at local health facilities.

Medical capabilities within the HMA sector hold potential to strengthen emergency care for civilian EO/EW casualties yet in the absence of structured coordination strategies is underutilized for this purpose. Increased HMA engagement in emergency care may enhance implementation of evidence-based emergency care interventions to decrease preventable death and disability among civilian victims of EO/EW in low-resource settings.

Developing a disaster risk perception scale is a critical component of Disaster Risk Management (DRM), enabling the assessment and evaluation of the reactions, behaviors, and risk culture characteristics of individuals living under disaster risk. The objective of this study is to develop a disaster risk perception scale and to assess its effect on disaster preparedness.

A pilot study was conducted with 359 participants, followed by a main study involving 786 participants. All participants resided in Giresun and Elazig, Turkey, the regions recently affected by earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

A reliable and valid disaster risk perception scale with 25 items and 5 dimensions (exposure/impact, probability, uncontrollable, worry/fear, and vulnerability) was developed. The disaster risk perception of the participants differed significantly according to their educational level, income level, city of residence, and disaster education. As per the multiple regression analysis, the exposure/impact and worry/fear variables had positive and significant effects on disaster preparedness.

For future studies, it is recommended to implement the disaster risk perception scale across diverse disaster types to assess and evaluate the outcomes effectively.

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.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the level of disaster preparedness and associated socio-demographic characteristics of Meskhetian Turks as a marginalized population who migrated to Erzincan, Turkey due to war and conflict.

A total of 426 individuals between the ages of 18-65 participated in this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interview technique by utilizing the General Disaster Preparedness Belief Scale. The t test and one-way ANOVA test and multiple regression analysis (Enter model) were used to analyze the data.

The total scale scores of the participants ranged between 80-138, with a mean score of 105.43±10.88. It was determined that the disaster preparedness levels of those who were between 32-38 years of age, who had bachelor’s degree, who had disaster experience, and who received disaster training were higher. It was determined that there was a significant positive relationship between the disaster preparedness levels of the participants and age, education level, and disaster training.

Disaster preparedness levels of Meskhetian Turks were determined to be high. According to the results of the analyses, it was revealed that age, education level, and disaster training variables have a positive and significant effect on the level of disaster preparedness.