Health in Emergencies and Disasters Quarterly
Volume:9 Issue: 2, Winter 2024

The occurrence of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international alarm was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020. The identified transmission path is due to direct close contact or via respirational droplets. There is uncertainty about other ways, such as transmission of surfaces, air, and other sources. This study follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in environmental surfaces, water, wastewater, and air.

In this study, we performed a systematic literature search in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science (ISI) databases in August 2022. The investigation on electronic databases resulted in a total of 2049 articles. A total of 249 potentially relevant were identified for full-text evaluation. Meanwhile, 30 articles were included in the synthesis.

According to four included studies, negative detection of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in water is established. A laboratory study has shown that viable SARS-CoV-2 could be found in aerosols for about 3 h. Also, the virus can be found on dry surfaces, depending on the material of the surface, for 8 to 72 h. Our results showed it is possible to exciting SARS-CoVs in air, environmental surface, and wastewater. 

These results can help healthy policymakers make suitable assessments of main prevention measures.

Given the changes caused by COVID-19, modern information technology has gained a higher position, fostering the realistic comprehension of technology, developing an interdisciplinary program, and endorsing scientific and technological activities within the educational environment. Considering the advancement of information technologies after COVID-19, this study was conducted to explore the role of new information technology in shaping education during the pandemic.

In this systematic review, all relevant studies were searched in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Iran Medex, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database (SID) databases from 2019 to 2022. The analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach.

Of the 1966 search results, 15 articles were included in this systematic review. These comprised 9 journal articles, 5 conference studies, and 1 thesis study. Data were extracted under two main categories—education and knowledge management—and four subcategories: Learning, performance quality, infrastructure, and planning.

Developing positive and creative skills in using new technologies is a complex process, which, through joint planning in multidisciplinary teams, can enhance technology-driven education. However, using new information technologies requires more support for educational leadership.

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) is critical for the survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This study aims to identify barriers to performing dispatcher-assisted bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-BCPR) in patients with OHCA. 

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on bystanders of 151 patients with OHCA who received emergency medical services (EMS) from June 2022 to June 2023 in Neyshabur City, Iran. The study data were collected using a questionnaire and telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and Fisher exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. Analyses were done using R software, version 4.0.1. 

Of 151 patients, 18.92% were less than 50 years old and 68.92% were male. In 69% of cases, the arrival time of EMS was less than 10 min, and 84.46% of patients received BCPR at the scene. The most common barrier to performing DA-BCPR was “not recognizing a cardiac arrest and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)” (41.48%). It was reported that 38.35% of the bystanders were familiar with CPR. There was a significant relationship between the bystanders’ familiarity with CPR and performing DA-BCPR (P<0.01).

The most common barrier to performing DA-BCPR on patients with OHCA is the lack of knowledge and skills in bystanders. Improving bystanders’ knowledge and educating them about cardiac arrest, CPR, and DA-BCPR is critical to help them improve outcomes for OHCA patients.

Epidemics are threats to communities and their health. The preparedness of makeshift hospitals in epidemics in management, planning, implementation, and structure to provide appropriate and timely services is essential. Studies show that the incidence command system and the operational fact sheet based on task descriptions and instructions in makeshift hospitals are not considered. This study is designed to develop an appropriate organizational structure for makeshift hospitals.

This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in two stages, including review and expert panel studies, to develop a national fact sheet guide and the structure of makeshift hospitals.

Based on the nature of disasters, makeshift hospitals should have specific structures. In the structure designed for a makeshift hospital, according to the center’s services and time of activation, it is necessary to have a manager, management, and executive staff. A medical specialist, such as an infectious or pulmonary specialist, is essential, depending on the situation. Considering the limited resources in developing countries and the importance of managing resources (financial, human, and equipment) and improving the quality of health services, it will be helpful to formulate a management structure and implement operational worksheets in the least possible time.

The use of command and management structure will improve decision-making in critical situations, especially in cases of epidemics, the need for quarantine, and the provision of services to injured patients.

Floods are a natural hydrological hazard that causes human and environmental damage. In the response phase, evacuation is necessary to reduce deterioration. This study explains the influential factors on flood evacuation based on the opinion of the stakeholders.

This is a conventional content analysis study conducted in 2021. A total of 27 participants were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews. Interviews continued until information saturation was reached. The recorded interviews were handwritten word by word and then analyzed. The criteria for entering the study included flood experience, the ability to communicate, and willingness to participate. The period of the interview was 40 to 70 min. Written consent was obtained from the interviewees for audio recording. The Granheim and Lundman method was used for data analysis. This study’s reliability was based on the Goba and Lincoln method.

Data analysis extracted four main categories with ten sub-categories, including human factors (a subcategory of individual characteristics and risk perception), social factors (a sub-category of cultural conditions and financial status), geographical factors (a sub-category of urban location and climate conditions), and infrastructure factors (a sub-category of facilities related to transportation tools and routes, urban constructions, communication infrastructure, and meteorological facilities). 

Reaching a successful evacuation requires determining the relevant factors. These factors include human, social, geographic, and infrastructure factors. The findings of this study can help managers in flood management.

The Arbaeen march ritual stands as one of the largest congregations, attended by tens of millions every year. Given the large number of participants in this ritual, it is essential to minimize the health repercussions for pilgrims and ensure their prompt access to medical care. The present study was conducted to analyze the healthcare services during the 2019 Arbaeen march.

Employing a qualitative approach, this study utilized various data collection methods, including in-depth and semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document review. The target population comprised healthcare decision-makers, managers, and providers of the 2019 Arbaeen march. The interview and data collection guide were developed in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Data collection continued until data saturation. Directed content analysis was employed to analyze the data. 

Data saturation was achieved after conducting 30 personal interviews. Out of the challenges and significant factors found in healthcare deliveries during the Imam Hussein (AS) Arbaeen march, 9 main themes and categories were identified: Trauma system, disease surveillance system, health issues, health education and promotion, healthcare coordination and collaboration command in the health system, information and communication management, response planning, support and resource management, and safety and security.

This study identified the major healthcare issues in the AS Arbaeen march, serving as an evidence-based guide for policymakers and planners of this famous religious ritual. The results of this study are applicable to similar public gatherings and marches.

While dishonesty is considered unethical, its occurrence within the healthcare system is not rare; therefore, addressing and controlling this behavior requires targeted interventions to address its root causes. This study investigates the encounters of patients with COVID-19, their families, and healthcare workers with white lies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

In this qualitative study, we employed a content analysis approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 participants, including healthcare workers, individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, and their families. The research was carried out at teaching hospitals affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020. For data analysis, the methodology proposed by Graneheim and Lundman was used. In addition, the management and analysis of data were facilitated through MAXQDA software, version 12.

This study included 23 female and 27 male participants, with a mean age of 35±6.3 years. Through data analysis, a total of 3201 codes were identified and subsequently organized into 5 main categories as follows: social stigma, media inconsistencies, fear and uncertainty, negligence, and breaking free from quarantine. These categories further branched into 11 sub-categories.

Employing white lies as a means to sidestep social stigma and discrimination, along with grappling with fear and xenophobia, emerged as prevalent experiences. The articulation of transparent and truthful information at the community level plays a crucial role in priming public perceptions to acknowledge factual circumstances. To achieve this, healthcare authorities and the media bear the responsibility of disseminating coherent and honest information, thereby mitigating and managing the proliferation of rumors within the community amidst the ongoing pandemic.

During disasters and emergencies, healthcare systems, particularly hospitals, as the leading providers of care, play an important role; accordingly, this study examines the preparedness of hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for biological incidents.

This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the preparedness level of 14 teaching hospitals in response to biological incidents in 2022. The preparedness of the hospitals in facing biological incidents was evaluated by the secretaries of the hospitals’ risk and disaster management committees using a standard questionnaire (hospital preparedness questionnaire in response to biological incidents) to assess different dimensions of hospital preparedness, including the development of managerial structures, capacity building, training and practice, information and communication management, healthcare system and laboratory, safety and security, patient management, and hospital resilience.

The assessment of different hospital preparedness dimensions in facing biological incidents showed that the mean scores of the managerial structure development, capacity building, training and practice, information and communication management, safety and security, healthcare system and laboratory, patient management, and hospital resilience were 20.12, 44.71, 14.14, 19.21, 46.64, 20.42, 27.42, 15.92, respectively. The highest score was related to safety and security and information and communication management, with average scores of 50.78 and 22, respectively. Also, the dimension of training and practice, with an average score of 16.28 and an average percentage of 64.29%, attained the lowest score among the eight dimensions of hospital preparedness. The net score of hospital preparedness in response to biological incidents was obtained at 230.28. According to the final score of hospital preparedness, 9(64.3%) hospitals had a good preparedness status, while 5(35.7%) hospitals acquired an average level of preparedness.

The preparedness of the investigated hospitals in response to biological events was favorable. However, coping with biological incidents mandates the highest level of preparedness; therefore, it is necessary to maintain good preparedness and try to improve the condition to an optimal level by focusing on all dimensions, especially those acquiring lower scores.