This paper describes challenges and opportunities for data collection during a disaster, focusing on how young adults in the United States navigated the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic--a disaster which introduced significant uncertainty and precarity both for individuals and the research process.

This paper draws on lessons from a small exploratory study which used journaling techniques as a data collection tool.

Journaling addressed 3 key challenges to collecting data during a public health crisis: 1) accessing respondents when preparation time and resources are limited; 2) ensuring protection for both participants and researchers in a context when human interaction is severely constrained; and 3) needing both rapid response and flexibility in research design and data collection.

Journaling techniques are a feasible, efficient and effective tool that can be adapted and utilized in various disaster contexts, including other pandemics and extreme climate events.

This systematic review aims to identify the theoretical-based frameworks and content of disaster training programs for nurses worldwide.

This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines across 5 databases: Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Studies were selected on disaster training programs for nurses and published within the past decade.

This systematic review analyzed 14 studies that utilized a variety of theoretical-based disaster nursing training programs. Among the theoretical frameworks identified, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) framework emerged as the most frequently applied, likely due to its global applicability and comprehensive approach in disaster training programs. In contrast, other frameworks—such as the Bioterrorism Guidelines and Infectious Disease Response Guidelines from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Malkina-Pykh Mixed Model, the World Health Organization (WHO) framework, and the National League for Nurses/Laerdal Simulation Model, and others—were each used only once.

These findings suggest the ICN framework’s potential to serve as a leading model for the development of future disaster training programs. Achieving an optimal balance of theory, practice, and evidence-based content is crucial for preparing nurses to respond effectively to disasters.

This preliminary longitudinal web-based study examines the progression of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among individuals affected by severe flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aim is to provide data that can inform early interventions and future research on mental health following disasters.

Sixty-four participants were assessed during the flood (T1) and 1 month later (T2). Evaluations included sociodemographic data, trauma exposure, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, acute stress disorder (ASD), and PTSD.

Depression and anxiety symptoms remained relatively stable between T1 and T2, while posttraumatic symptoms increased significantly, particularly re-experiencing and avoidance. This progression suggests a shift from initial hyperarousal to more entrenched symptoms of reliving trauma and avoidance, indicating that the long-term effects of trauma may be more closely tied to PTSD. Additionally, trauma exposure and specific ASD symptoms predicted PTSD severity at T2.

The results suggest a time-dependent progression of PTSD symptoms, with initial hyperarousal giving way to re-experiencing and avoidance, which are central to PTSD. Early psychoeducational interventions targeting re-experiencing symptoms and avoidance may help reduce PTSD severity. Further research in larger, more diverse samples is needed to assess generalizability.

The Kahramanmaras Earthquakes (2023) are the largest and most devastating earthquakes in the history of the Republic. The effects of these earthquakes are particularly deeply felt among younger generations and trigger various psychological factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to measure the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia (SP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and depression on separation anxiety disorder (SAD) among adolescent earthquake survivors affected by the Kahramanmaras Earthquakes (2023).

In the study, the data were obtained using a survey method. A total of 605 adolescent earthquake survivors exposed to the Kahramanmaras earthquakes were reached. The research was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Surprisingly, according to the research findings, there was no significant and positive relationship between SP (β = −0.006, P > 0.05) and Depression (β = −0.117, P > 0.05) on SAD.

Consequently, while PTSD and GAD had significant and positive effects on SAD in those adolescent earthquake survivors affected by the Kahramanmaras Earthquakes (2023), SP and Depression did not have significant and positive effects on SAD. Therefore, it is recommended that future studies examine the effects of SP and Depression on SAD more comprehensively and in detail through qualitative research.

Shifts in food acquisition during the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected diet. Assessing changes in diet is needed to inform food assistance programs aimed at mitigating diet disparities during future crises. This longitudinal study assessed changes in diet among a low-income, racially diverse population from March-November 2020.

Survey data were collected from 291 adults living in Austin, TX. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models assessed the relationship between changes in consumption of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables (FV), and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the following food acquisition factors: food security, difficulty finding food, food bank usage, and food shopping method.

Adjusted models indicated individuals with consistent food insecurity had increased odds of reporting a higher category of consumption for frozen (aOR = 2.13, P < 0.05, CI:1.18-3.85) and canned (aOR = 4.04, P < 0.01, CI:2.27-7.20) FV and SSB (aOR = 3.01, P < 0.01, CI:1.65-5.51). Individuals who reported using a food bank were more likely to report increased consumption of frozen (aOR = 2.14, P < 0.05, CI:1.22-3.76) and canned FV (aOR = 2.91, P < 0.01, CI:1.69-4.99).

Shifts in food acquisition factors were associated with changes in diet. Findings demonstrate the need for more robust food assistance programs that specifically focus on all dimensions of food security.

Evaluate factors influencing the decision-making processes of school administrators and investigate the existence and use of emergency operations plans (EOPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using survey data representative of US K-12 public schools in 2022, the prevalence of 16 factors that influenced reporting school administrators’ COVID-19 prevention strategy implementation decision-making (Wave 4; N = 399) and the presence and use of school EOPs (Wave 5; N = 400) are presented overall and by urban-rural classification, poverty level, and school level. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a subset of school administrators and used thematic analysis to understand factors influencing implementation of prevention strategies and emergency preparedness.

School district requirements or recommendations (81.6%) was the top reported factor influencing decisions on the use of COVID-19 prevention strategies. Although most schools created or updated their EOP during the 2021/2022 school year (78.1%), only 26.7% implemented or exercised an EOP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Themes from qualitative analysis focused on factors influencing the implementation of prevention strategies, limitations of current EOPs, and importance of continuous investment in school preparedness.

Investing in actions to improve schools’ capacity to respond to emergencies such as developing comprehensive EOPs, building partnerships, and defining roles and responsibilities is important.

The present study was conducted to determine self-management and influencing factors in dialysis patients who experienced the earthquake.

The study was conducted descriptively with 125 patients receiving dialysis in a city affected by the earthquake in Türkiye. Data were collected with the “Personal Information Form” and the “Chronic Illness Self-Management Scale” (CISMS). Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann Whitney U, Kruskall Wallis, Spearman Correlation tests, Wilcoxon, and Linear Regression were used in the statistical analysis.

The study found that 9.6% of the patients were trapped under the rubble in the earthquake, 71.2% lost a relative, 43.8% changed dialysis centers, 36.8% missed dialysis sessions, and 51.2% could not comply with the diet after the earthquake. Women (p < 0.001), those with secondary school or lower educational levels (p < 0.05), those with another chronic disease, and those who lost a relative in the earthquake had lower health care maintenance efficacy (p < 0.05). The treatment adherence of those who adhered to the diet was higher than those who did not (p < 0.05).

It was determined that the level of self-stigma of the patients after the earthquake was low, their treatment adherence was high, and there were many variables affecting their self-management.

The objective of this scoping review is to identify the types of EMC provided by humanitarian organizations in response to sudden-onset disasters in Southeast Asia in the last 10 years.

We followed Arskey and O’Malley method and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. Limited to online-based journal databases (PubMed, Embase, and ProQuest) and ReliefWeb and PreventionWeb for grey literature between 2014 and 2023. Study was performed from January-June 2024.

Finally, 33 studies were included covering 17 disasters (Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar). Fourteen disasters were caused by a single hazard: earthquakes (6, 35.3%), floods (4, 23,5%), cyclones (2, 11.8%), tsunamis (1, 5.9%), and volcanic eruptions, and 3 were multi-hazard: earthquakes and tsunamis (2, 11.8%) and flood and landslide (1, 5.9%). The main services provided were mental health and psychosocial support; assessment, resuscitation, and stabilization; referral and transfer; and health promotion and community engagement.

Humanitarian organizations should prioritize services to meet demands: mental health and psychosocial support; assessment, resuscitation, and stabilization; referral and transfer; and health promotion and community engagement. This can guide national governments in scaling up preparedness and response efforts, ensuring that demands are met at a local level but also aligned with international disaster response.

Large-scale crises, including wars and pandemics, have repeatedly shaped human history, and their simultaneous occurrence presents profound challenges to societies. Understanding the dynamics of epidemic spread during warfare is essential for developing effective containment strategies in complex conflict zones. While research has explored epidemic models in various settings, the impact of warfare on epidemic dynamics remains underexplored.

We proposed a novel mathematical model that integrates the epidemiological SIR (susceptible-infected-recovered) model with the war dynamics Lanchester model to explore the dual influence of war and pandemic on a population’s mortality. Moreover, we consider a dual-use military and civil health care system that aims to reduce the overall mortality rate, which can use different administration policies such as prioritizing soldiers over civilians. Using an agent-based simulation to generate in silico data, we trained a deep reinforcement learning model based on the deep Q-network algorithm for health care administration policy and conducted an intensive investigation on its performance.

Our results show that a pandemic during war conduces chaotic dynamics where the health care system should either prioritize war-injured soldiers or pandemic-infected civilians based on the immediate amount of mortality from each option, ignoring long-term objectives.

Our findings highlight the importance of integrating conflict-related factors into epidemic modeling to enhance preparedness and response strategies in conflict-affected areas.

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of women’s perceptions of psychological power related to gender roles on their disaster risk perceptions.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was planned in a correlational design. The study was completed with 272 people who met the inclusion criteria. Data for the study were collected between February 21, 2024 and March 7, 2024. The Independent sample t test was used for the comparison of two independent groups and one way analysis of variance was used for the comparison of two or more unrelated groups. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between numerical variables.

Women who had previously experienced a disaster were found to have higher scores on the strength/advocacy, threat, anxiety, and disaster risk perception scale than those who had not. A moderate positive correlation was found between the increase in women’s perceptions of psychological power and their perceptions of threat, controllability, anxiety levels, and disaster risk perceptions, while a low negative correlation was found with their perceptions of fatalism.

It was concluded that women’s psychological strength affects disaster risk perception. Psychological empowerment of women is thought to be important in ensuring disaster resilience.