BACKGROUND: This study investigated the presence of dizziness and sleep quality in people affected by the earthquake disaster of 2023 in Türkiye and aimed to determine the relationship between dizziness and sleep disorders.
METHODS: A total of 384 earthquake survivors who had no previous complaints of dizziness or sleep disturbance and who presented to the neurology outpatient clinic with complaints of dizziness or sleep disturbance after the earthquake were included in the study. Demographic information of participants and scales such as the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were recorded.
RESULTS: It was determined that the majority of the patients in the 18-35 age group had poor sleep quality and there was a significant difference in the PSQI score. Additionally, a moderate positive significant relationship was found between the DHI score and the PSQI score.
CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to major earthquakes and aftershocks can cause sleep disorders and dizziness complaints, which may emerge as public health problems. Earthquake victims should be followed up and necessary interventions should be made early.

More than 1200 civilians and military were killed in cities and villages by the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023. The bodies and body-parts had to be identified and released for burial. This report outlines the challenges and mode of operation of the massive disaster victim identification (DVI) efforts. Bodies were delivered to a central mortuary. Each body was coded and undressed for external inspection and documentation of physical elements. Digital fingerprints were recorded and blood or toenails sampled for DNA. Odontology exams were performed by dentists describing dentition, aided by computerized tomography (CT). Whole-body CT was performed in cases the bodies were disfigured or burned from the second week. Simultaneously, families of missing civilians provided physical elements to the police to extract the DNA for antemortem documentation. The police took the responsibility over the reconciliation, which was based on comparison of the ante-mortem and post-mortem fingerprints, aided by DNA profile matching, odontology examination, clinical and/or radiological findings performed by forensic practitioners. Secondary identification elements were used assure the families regarding the identification. Precise scientific identification a was a priority, even if it slowed the rate of bodies release. Families were allowed to view their relative either at the mortuary or before burial. The DVI process required cooperation between several governmental agencies and police. To maximize the effectiveness, a synchronized approach should be adopted, specifying communication channels between the partners and dividing the responsibilities. The DVI should be led by a single, experienced authority to ensure interdisciplinary teamwork. This catastrophe required personal resilience of the teams for rapid and efficient functioning and communication between the partners.

暂无摘要。

Socioeconomic conditions, cultural beliefs, traditional practices that disadvantage women and gender inequality cause women to be affected differently from men. In this study, we aimed to identify the problems faced by women exposed to disasters in Turkey through the experiences of disaster workers. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 13 disaster workers. Phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The data were evaluated by content analysis. Research data were categorized using codes, and themes and sub-themes were created. With the content analysis, four themes were determined as \'Emotional Burden\', \'Struggle\', \'Vulnerability\' and \'Gender\'. Disasters have negatively affected women due to gender inequality. At the same time, women can be challenged in disasters. It can be recommended to develop gender-sensitive policies in disaster management and to ensure women\'s participation in decision-making processes.

The 2017 Edgecumbe flood in New Zealand necessitated the rescue of over 1000 animals, making it the largest companion animal rescue operation in the nation\'s history at the time. This qualitative study explores the experiences and perspectives of six first responders from various agencies involved in the animal rescue efforts. Through semi-structured interviews, this study identified several key themes, including challenges during the rescue phase, post-rescue issues, the impact on the human-animal relationship and wellbeing, and the health and safety of responders. The rescue phase was characterised by difficulties in evacuating and rescuing animals, the influence of the socio-zoological scale on rescue prioritisation, issues with feeding animals in place, and the diversity of species requiring rescue. Post-rescue challenges included animal identification and tracking, decontamination, management of deceased animals, and long-term impacts on animals and owners. This study also highlighted the interconnectedness of human and animal welfare during the disaster, as well as the health and safety risks faced by responders. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive collaborative emergency response planning that addresses the needs of both humans and animals, as well as the importance of ongoing efforts to build resilience and preparedness in communities. Lessons learned from the Edgecumbe flood can inform future policy, planning, and practice to enhance the effectiveness and compassion of animal-inclusive emergency management.

Natural or man-made medical disasters have repeatedly affected human communities. The impact on health care resources may vary depending on the magnitude of each crisis, catastrophe or pandemic, and the resources available. Medical triage protocols serve as invaluable tools to address clinical needs, particularly when resources, including supplies, equipment, and personnel, are limited. Although resources should be allocated to maximize the benefit, resource allocations need to be ethically sound. Existing triage protocols have inherent limitations.

UNASSIGNED: There is a growing recognition of the need for disaster management training for medical students in Saudi Arabia, but there is limited research on its effectiveness. Thus, this study evaluated the effectiveness of a disaster simulation training program for undergraduate medical students in Saudi Arabia.
UNASSIGNED: A disaster management simulation activity was conducted for 32 medical students. The students attended a 30-minute lecture about mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and completed a pre-simulation survey. They were then randomly assigned to one of three groups (performer, actor, observer) and asked to apply their skills to triage patients after a Level C MCI. A debriefing session was conducted using the plus/delta debriefing method. Then, the students completed a post-simulation survey.
UNASSIGNED: The results showed that after the simulation training the students\' self-confidence in their ability to respond to a disaster increased from 40.7% to 59.4% (p value < 0.01), to utilize incident command structure increased from 37.9% to 62.5% (p value < 0.01), to demonstrate START triage for victims of a disaster increased from 28.2% to 65.7% (p value < 0.01), and to apply safe search and rescue techniques increased from 40.7% to 59.4% (p value < 0.01). The students\' self-confidence in their ability to perform basic first aid skills also increased after the simulation.
UNASSIGNED: The study findings suggest that disaster management simulation training can be an effective way to increase medical students\' self-confidence and preparedness for disaster response.

BACKGROUND: Emergency medical services preparedness in mass casualty incidents is one of the most important concerns in emergency systems. A mass casualty incident is a sudden event with several injured individuals that overwhelms the local health care system. This study aimed to identify and validate the components of emergency medical services readiness in mass casualty incidents which ultimately led to designing a conceptual model.
METHODS: This research was an explanatory mixed-method study conducted in five consecutive stages in Iran between November 2021 and September 2023. First, a systematic review was carried out to extract the components of emergency medical services preparedness in mass casualty incidents based on the PRISMA guideline. Second, a qualitative study was designed to explore the preparedness components through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the content analysis approach. Third, the integration of the components extracted from the two stages of the systematic review and qualitative study was done by an expert panel. Fourth, the obtained components were validated using the Delphi technique. Two rounds were done in the Delphi phase. Finally, the conceptual model of emergency medical services preparedness in mass casualty incidents was designed by a panel of experts.
RESULTS: 10 articles were included in the systematic review stage and sixteen main components were extracted and classified into four categories. In the second stage, thirteen components were extracted from the qualitative study and classified into five categories. Then, the components of the previous two phases were integrated into the panel of experts and 23 components were identified. After validation with the Delphi technique, 22 components were extracted. Lastly, the final components were examined by the panel of experts, and the conceptual schematic of the model was drawn.
CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to have an integrated framework and model of emergency medical service readiness in the planning and management of mass casualty incidents. The components and the final model of this research were obtained after the systematic scientific steps, which can be used as a scheme to improve emergency medical service preparedness in response to mass casualty incidents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate individuals\' disaster literacy levels, their thoughts on disaster management services, and related factors.
METHODS: The descriptive research was conducted with a total of 480 individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 living in a province in the first-degree earthquake zone in Turkey. The data were collected with the Disaster Literacy Scale and the Disaster Management Services Evaluation Form.
RESULTS: In this study, it was found that more than half of the participants had inadequate/moderate disaster literacy. The total disaster literacy score and all subscale scores were found to be higher in individuals who had an earthquake kit at home, had an emergency plan, and had received disaster-related training (p < .05). The majority of the participants found the services provided for disaster management inadequate or very inadequate.
CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it has been found that a significant portion of the society lacks the desired level of disaster literacy, and the services provided for disasters are deemed insufficient therefore, there is a need for multi-disciplinary national prevention programs to enhance disaster literacy and preparedness in the community, as well as urgently supporting policies to improve disaster-related services. Additionally, due to their comprehensive knowledge of the general structure of society, public health nurses need to play an active role in disaster preparedness and increasing disaster literacy levels.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop the Motivations for Coping After Disaster Scale. To test the construct validity of the scale, a total of 676 data were collected from three different sampling groups (N1: 388; N2: 194; N3: 94).
METHODS: Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Criterion validity analysis were conducted to test the construct validity of the scale.
RESULTS: As a result of CFA, it was seen that the post-disaster scale had a five-dimensional structure (spiritual values, hope, friend support, solidarity, family support). The loadings of the items of the scale are at a good level. As a result of CFA, the scale was found to have acceptable and good fit indices (χ2/sd = 2.690; RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) = 0.066; SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual) = 0.047; CFI (Comparative Fit Index) = 0.948; GFI (Goodness of Fit Index) = 0.917). The results of the criterion validity analysis show that the scale has criterion validity. Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient shows that the scale is highly reliable (Total = 0.923).
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the Post-Disaster Coping Motivations Scale is a valid and reliable instrument. It is thought that the scale can make an important contribution to understanding psychological recovery processes after disaster and providing appropriate support to individuals.