The project aimed to characterize the exposure to seismic hazard in the emergency area of a high-complexity hospital in Cali, Colombia.

The occupancy of the emergency area was analyzed over 6 months, determining the value of material elements exposed to the seismic hazard. Four phases were executed: search for pre-existing information, occupancy analysis, evaluation of exposed assets, and results analysis. The information was analyzed using a Geographic Information System (GIS), which allowed the visualization of demographic behavior in different locations and times.

The results confirmed that the seismic hazard is high, exacerbated by local geomechanical characteristics. It was observed that the average occupancy of most studied areas exceeded capacity. The value of the exposed assets was estimated at COP 3 221 008 640 (USD 959 844.76), the demolition value at COP 10 582 770 000 (USD 3 153 613.49), and the reconstruction value at COP 30 293 640 275 (USD 9 027 356.03). In the worst-case scenario, the losses were equivalent to 12.4% of the hospital’s annual budget.

The data allow the hospital to take preventive measures and educate the staff to identify and mitigate critical areas. It also contributes to the knowledge of the approximate value of economic losses and the impact of potential human losses.

Natural disasters are frequent occurrences worldwide and can influence fertility preferences. This study aimed to assess the impact of disaster preparedness training on the disaster readiness levels of women of reproductive age and their fertility and childbearing attitudes.

The study employed a classic experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group. The sample consisted of women of reproductive age in Turkey, determined through the G-Power 3.1.9.7 program, with intervention (n = 88) and control (n = 88) groups totaling 176 participants. Data were collected using a “Preliminary Evaluation Form,” “Descriptive Information Form,” “Disaster Preparedness Scale (DPS),” and “Attitudes Toward Fertility and Childbearing Scale (AFCS).”

In the intervention group, the post-test scores significantly increased for the DPS and the AFCS sub-scale on the importance of fertility for the future (P<0.05).

The study found that disaster preparedness training provided to women of reproductive age improved their disaster readiness levels. Following the training, the women’s knowledge about physical protection during disasters, assistance in disasters, and disaster warnings and systems also increased. Additionally, the training enhanced the positive attitudes of these women toward childbearing.

A useful way to prepare the public for disasters is to teach them where to get information. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the readability and appropriateness of the content of websites prepared for the public on disaster preparedness.

In September-October 2022, we evaluated 95 disaster preparedness websites (intended for the public) using the Ateşman Readability Index, JAMA criteria, DISCERN, and a new researcher-created content comparison form. Evaluation scores were compared according to information sources.

Of the websites included in the research, 45.2% represented government institutions (GIG), 38.0% non-profit organizations (NPOG), 8.4% municipal organizations (MOG), and 8.4% other organizations (OG). Those which scored above average on the websites were 36.8% on the content evaluation, 51.6% on the DISCERN scale, 53.7% on the Ateşman Readability Index, and 55.8% on the JAMA criteria. The content evaluation form showed that the scores of the websites belonging to the MOG were higher than the scores of the other websites. Others group websites also scored higher than altered websites on the JAMA criteria.

The study revealed that websites created to increase public knowledge on disaster preparedness are not good enough in terms of readability, quality, and content.

The mental health of paramedics is critical for disaster response in order to provide rapid and effective interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related individual and occupational factors in Turkish paramedics during the eleventh month of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Sociodemographic Information Form,” “Life Events Checklist,” and “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist” were used to collect data from 440 randomly selected paramedics in this cross-sectional study.

The prevalence of PTSD was 59.8% in the 11th month of the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple regression analysis revealed that approximately 25% of the total PTSD score could be independently explained by paramedics’ general health situation and sociodemographic characteristics; 27% by crisis management skills, long working hours, a lack of equipment, and intensive work; and 40% by past traumatic experiences due to difficult life events during their professional practice, such as responding to gunshot wounds, becoming a victim of a gunshot attack, or sexual assault (P < 0.05).

Integrating a mental health monitoring system into the health and safety program, providing paramedics with supervision and psychological assistance, and engaging them in disaster preparedness planning would be beneficial.

Many people who are rescued alive from rubble after earthquakes suffer from crush injuries and associated acute kidney injury (AKI). McMahon score is used to determine the risk of AKI and mortality due to rhabdomyolysis in hospitalized patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical findings, biochemical characteristics, and outcomes of crush injury patients admitted to our tertiary hospital and the use of the McMahon score in determining the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in this patient group.

Sociodemographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters of 28 patients who had creatine kinase levels of 1000 U/L and above were recorded. Patients with crush injuries requiring and not requiring RRT were compared according to the McMahon Score.

A total of 42% of patients developed AKI and 67% of them required renal replacement therapy. In crush injury patients requiring RRT, serum urea, creatinine, LDH, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, phosphorus, and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher and albumin levels were significantly lower at admission compared to patients not requiring RRT. All patients who required RRT had a McMahon Score ≥6.

A high McMahon score at hospital admission is associated with an increased need for RRT.

On July 28, 2022, floods in eastern Kentucky displaced over 600 individuals. With the goal of understanding mental health needs of affected families, we surveyed households living in flood evacuation shelters after the 2022 Kentucky floods.

Families experiencing displacement from the 2022 Kentucky floods currently living in three different temporary shelter locations were surveyed via convenience sampling. A rapid community needs assessment involving in-person interviews using modified two stage cluster methodology (CASPER) was conducted between September 6-9, 2022.

Teams conducted 61 household interviews. Since the flood, 27.7% reported that their household received services from behavioral health and 19.6% received grief counseling. Experiencing agitation (36.7%), difficulty concentrating (47.5%), nightmares (62.3%), or suicidal thoughts/self-harm (6.6%) were reported by households surveyed. Over one-fourth (27.0%) of individuals surveyed reported being depressed nearly every day. Over 20% reported anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) nearly every day. Over 75% of individuals surveyed reported being anxious several days or more over the last two weeks. Over one-third of individuals (34.0%) reported being unable to stop worrying nearly every day. Of those individuals surveyed, 36.1% reported barriers to mental health services.

Symptoms of depressed mood, anhedonia, anxiety, and nightmares were prevalent in displaced families six weeks after the 2022 Kentucky floods. Providing and encouraging access to mental health services are important priorities during disaster recovery.

This study aimed to examine the effect of volunteers’ health behaviors and disaster preparedness on disaster attitudes.

The sample comprised 378 volunteers aged 18 to 30 who were affiliated with the largest volunteer network in a non-governmental organization in Turkey. In the study, data were collected with Descriptive Information Form, the Disaster Preparedness Scale, and the Disaster Attitude Scale.

The mean total score of the participants in the Disaster Attitude Scale was 3.06 ± 0.73 (1-5). The mean total scale score of the participants in the Disaster Preparedness Scale was 33.21 ± 8.02 (13-54). Notably, factors such as using alcohol, the status of general health checkups status, and scores on the physical protection and assistance subscales the Disaster Preparedness Scale were significantly associated with the Disaster Attitude Scale total score (P < 0.05).

In this study, regular general health check-ups, alcohol use in general, and physical protection and assistance sub-scales are critical determinants of volunteers’ attitudes toward disasters. The disaster volunteers, health professionals particularly nurses, should develop training programs to enhance volunteers’ disaster attitudes focusing on promoting disaster preparedness and positive health behaviors in both governmental and non-governmental organizations.

This study investigates the public health implications of terrorist attacks on telecommunications infrastructure globally, assessing the direct and indirect impacts on emergency response and medical services.

Utilizing retrospective analysis, this research delves into incidents recorded in the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) from 1970 to 2020. The study employs descriptive statistical methods to identify patterns and examine the regional distribution and frequency of these attacks, alongside the types of weaponry used and the direct casualties involved.

The analysis underscores a significant focus on telecommunications by terrorist groups, revealing a frequent use of high-impact weapons like explosives and incendiary devices aimed at maximizing disruption. The study highlights considerable regional variations in the frequency and nature of attacks, emphasizing the strategic importance of these infrastructures to public safety and health systems.

The findings demonstrate the critical need for robust security enhancements tailored to regional threats and the integration of advanced technologies in public safety strategies. The research advocates for enhanced international cooperation and policymaking to mitigate the impacts of these attacks, ensuring telecommunications resilience in the face of global terrorism.

Hurricane Ida delivered record rainfall to the northeast, resulting in 11 deaths in New York City. We review these deaths, identify risk factors, and discuss solutions to prevent recurrence.

Deaths were confirmed by multiple sources. Locations of the deceased were obtained from obituaries and plotted on the NYC.gov flood-hazard map. Risk factor information of the decedents was collected when available. Current emergency response plans and mitigation efforts were identified on the NYC.gov officially sanctioned website.

All descendants resided in basement apartments. None of the deaths occurred in a location previously designated a “flood risk zone.” While a flash flood emergency was issued during Hurricane Ida, guidance was not provided during the emergency. Flooding was compounded by the city’s aging infrastructure and lack of green space.

Aging infrastructure, lack of pre-notification, illegal basement apartments, and lack of a planned response all appear to have played a role in these 11 deaths.

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Disaster Resilience Measuring Tool (DRMT-C19).

The research was a methodological, psychometric study. Standard translation processes were performed. Face validity and content validity were determined along with construct and convergent validity. To determine the final version of the questionnaire, 483 health care rescuers were selected using a consecutive sampling method. Other resilience-related questionnaires were used to assess concurrent validity. All quantitative data analyses were conducted using SPSS 22 and Jamovi 2.3.28 software.

The content validity and reliability were indicated using Scale’s Content Validity Ratio (S-CVR) = 0.92 and Scale’s Content Validity Index (S-CVI) = 0.93. The comprehensiveness of the measurement tool = 0.875%. Cronbach’s α = 0.89 and the test re-test reliability using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) = 0.68 to 0.92. Exploratory factor analysis determined 4 factors which accounted for more than 58.54% of the variance among the items. Confirmatory factor analysis determined 12 factors. The concurrent validity between the DRMT-C19 and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was r = 0.604 (P ≤ 0.0001).

The DRMT-C19 has satisfactory psychometric properties and is a valid, reliable, and valuable tool for assessing resilience against disasters in Iran’s Persian-speaking health care rescuers.

In 2020, COVID-19 modeling studies predicted rapid epidemic growth and quickly overwhelmed health systems in humanitarian and fragile settings due to preexisting vulnerabilities and limited resources. Despite the growing evidence from Bangladesh, no study has examined the epidemiology of COVID-19 in out-of-camp settings in Cox’s Bazar during the first year of the pandemic (March 2020-March 2021). This paper aims to fill this gap.

Secondary data analyses were conducted on case and testing data from the World Health Organization and the national health information system via the District Health Information Software 2.

COVID-19 in Cox’s Bazar was characterized by a large peak in June 2020, followed by a smaller wave in August/September and a new wave from March 2021. Males were more likely to be tested than females (68% vs. 32%, P < 0.001) and had higher incidence rates (305.29/100 000 males vs. 114.90/100 000 female, P < 0.001). Mortality was significantly associated with age (OR: 87.3; 95% CI: 21.03-350.16, P < 0.001) but not sex. Disparities existed in testing and incidence rates among upazilas.

Incidence was lower than expected, with indicators comparable to national-level data. These findings are likely influenced by the younger population age, high isolation rates, and low testing capacity. With testing extremely limited, true incidence and mortality rates are likely higher, highlighting the importance of improving disease surveillance in fragile settings. Data incompleteness and fragmentation were the main study limitations.