Experiences of HIV/STD Providers in New York State During Hurricane Sandy: Strengths, Challenges, and Recommendations. (13th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vacca, Kristen; Shipp-Hilts, Asante; Mack, Stephanie; Li, Yunshu; Eidson, Millicent; Nguyen, Trang; Birkhead, Guthrie
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 15:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 691
• Page End: 696
• Publication Date: 2021-12-13
• Subjects: emergency preparedness -- HIV/STD providers -- HIV/STDs -- natural disasters -- qualitative; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.91
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess strengths and challenges experienced by HIV/STD providers in providing care during the response to Hurricane Sandy (Sandy) in New York State, and their recommendations for future preparedness. Methods: A mixed methods approach, including a focus group ( n = 3), interviews ( n = 3), and survey ( n = 31) of HIV/STD providers, was used. Key words identified by means of open coding methodology from collected data were organized into strengths, challenges, and recommendations and then grouped into federal and study-associated preparedness capabilities. Results: Key words were organized into 81 strengths (38.8%), 73 challenges (34.9%), and 55 recommendations (26.3%). Services most interrupted during Sandy were related to HIV/STD outreach and education. While providers reported challenges with external agency communication, the ability to still connect clients to needed resources was reported as a strength. Strengthening partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies was among the major recommendations made by these providers. Conclusions: This study presents unique information about challenges experienced by HIV/STD providers in providing services during a natural disaster and the use of national public health emergency preparedness capabilities to address and overcome those challenges. Lessons learned and recommendations regarding inter-agency communications emerged as an important priority during a natural disaster to minimize or reduce service interruption.