A Study of Hospital Disaster Preparedness in South Yemen. Issue 2 (19th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naser, Waheeb Nasr; Ingrassia, Pier Luigi; Aladhrae, Salem; Abdulraheem, Wegdan Ali
• Is Part Of: Prehospital and disaster medicine. Volume 33:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2018-02-19
• Subjects: Aden, -- disaster, -- hospital preparedness, -- WHO, -- Yemen; Emergency medical services -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X18000158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-023X

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Despite emphasis by disaster experts on the importance of disaster preparedness, disaster management in Yemen has attracted only a little attention. Most of the efforts have focused on post-disaster relief activities rather than the pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Hospitals have a crucial role in emergency response and should be prepared. Thus, the aim of this study was intended to assess the hospital preparedness of Aden Capital, South Yemen against disasters. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2016. The sample was all Aden City facilities with a total number of 10 hospitals: five public and five private hospitals. A survey was done by using the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) standards checklist 2011. Results: The overall preparedness of Aden City hospitals to disasters fell at the unacceptable level of readiness, with an average mean of 46.6 (SD = 38.31; range 24-82). Of 10 hospitals, two ranked insufficient while eight hospitals were at unacceptable levels of preparedness. Conclusion: All hospitals were noted grossly unprepared for potential disasters. Therefore, it is recommended that greater efforts be invested in creating a comprehensive strategy and national or local guidelines to establish an emergency management system based on the anticipated hazard and the needed resources. WN Naser, PL Ingrassia, S Aladhrae, WA Abdulraheem .A study of hospital disaster preparedness in South Yemen .Prehosp Disaster Med .2018 ;33 (2 ):133 –138 .