COVID-19: Exposing the need for emergency management to invest in systems thinking

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed numerous challenges in the emergency management (EM) response system. The article contends that had EM deliberately and systematically engaged in systems thinking; it would have been better able to anticipate and respond to many of the challenges. Reasons for EM not fully embracing systems thinking are discussed, including the perception that it is complex and theoretical. This article attempts to dispel these beliefs by first demonstrating how many systems-thinking concepts are already embedded in the EM ethos and then by illustrating the application of system principles in the context of the COVID-19 response. This article concludes by recommending EM invest in training to encourage the systematic application of system principles in emergency preparedness and response.

Avoiding isolation: Physical activity for persons with disabilities and Covid-19

It was aimed in this article to draw attention to the following issues: the importance of issuing guidelines on what countries can or should do in order for individuals with disabilities to maintain their daily exercises or physical activity routines, and informing the public about it; the importance of considering the needs of a person with disabilities in emergency preparedness and response plans of the countries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; the importance of the dissemination of public health messages in plain language and accessible formats through all mass media channels; the importance of providing psychosocial support to persons with disabilities and their families; and, the importance of strengthening support networks for persons with disabilities. In the research, the literature on Covid-19 and physical activity in disabilities published in 2020 was scanned via Pubmed and Google Scholar, and the study was designed as a review. Analysis of the related literature showed that it is important to develop a habit of performing regular physical activity in disabilities and to continue these activities especially during the pandemic period. In this review, persons with disabilities should be informed about what they can or should do to maintain their daily exercise or physical activity routines.

A scoping review on data integration in the field of infectious diseases, 2009-2018

Background and Aim: Little is known about data integration in public health research and its impact. This study aimed to summarize known collaboration information, the characteristics of the datasets used, the methods of data integration, and knowledge gaps. Materials and Methods: We reviewed papers on infectious diseases from two or more datasets published during 2009- 2018, before the coronavirus disease pandemic. Two independent researchers searched the Medline and Global Health databases using predetermined criteria. Results: Of the 2375 items retrieved, 2272 titles and abstracts were reviewed. Of these, 164 were secondary reviews. Full-text reviews identified 153 relevant articles; we excluded 11 papers that did not meet our inclusion criteria. Of the 153 papers, 150 were single-country studies. Most papers were from North America (n=47). Viral diseases were the most commonly researched diseases (n=66), and many studies sought to define infection rates (n=62). Data integration usually employed unique national identifiers (n=37) or address-based identifiers (n=30). Two data sources were combined (n=121), and at least one data source typically included routine surveillance information. Conclusion: We found a growing usage of data integration in infectious diseases, emphasizing the advantages of data integration and linkage analysis, and reiterating its importance in public health emergency preparedness and response.

System Modelling Approach of Radionuclide Soil-to-Plant Transfer for Nuclear Emergencies Decision; Case Study - China

Nuclear Energy Development is gradually gaining root in the energy mix of the Chinese society. It is quite evident to develop all possible emergency evaluation situation in the event of nuclear energy. Nuclear Emergency falls under the relative serious emergency incident grades according to the degree of social harm done and the extent of repercussions and other factors. This paper illustrates system modelling predictions of the transfer of radiocesium from soil-to-plant during nuclear emergency. Planned discharges of radionuclides are passed by mathematical models that can be used as tools to evaluate the effective ways of countermeasure actions in an event of an emergency. The empirical approach often associates with considerably uncertainty due to the large variability in the transfer factor The mechanistic approach also presents complexities and a large amount of specific parameters makes this approach impractical for nuclear emergency preparedness and response purposes. The semi-mechanistic approach factorizes more soil and plant parameters than the empirical approach. Therefore, it is applicable to a wider range of environmental conditions. The nuclear emergency adapts the parameterization of the Absalom model which is sufficiently robust and practical, hence fit more for the purpose of planning and responding to nuclear emergencies as compared to the empirical and mechanistic approaches.

Malaria Outbreak Investigation in Siansundu, Binga District, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe, 2013

Malaria Is Of Public Health Importance In Zimbabwe. A Sharp Rise In The Number Of Malaria Cases In Binga District Was Noted During Week Five In 2013. On Further Analysis, The Siansundu Clinic Was Found To Be In An Outbreak Situation. The Study Was Conducted To Determine Factors Associated With Contracting Malaria In Binga District, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. An Unmatched 1: 1 Case-Control Study Was Conducted In Siansundu, Binga, Among 124 Residents. A Case Was A Person Who Presented With Malaria Symptoms, A Control Was A Person Who Was A Neighbour Of A Case And Did Not Suffer From Typical Malaria Symptoms Or Had A Negative RDT Result From The 1st Of January 2013. A Pre-Tested Interviewer-Administered Questionnaire And A Checklist Were Used To Collect Data. Data Were Analyzed Using Epi Info, Where Odds Ratios And P Values Were Calculated. Risk Factors For Contracting Malaria Were: Fetching Water At Night (OR 2.55, P-Value 0.04); Having Inadequate Mosquito Nets Per Sleeping Space (OR 3.596, P-Value 0.036); Worshipping And Praying Outside At Night (OR 3.417, P-Value 0.0006). Wearing Long Clothing At Night Was A Protective Factor Against Contracting Malaria (OR 0.156, P-Value 0.001). The Case Fatality Rate Was 0.43%. The District Was Not Prepared For The Outbreak And Responded Late. Educational Strategies To Address The Risk Factors For Malaria And Regular Meetings By The Emergency Preparedness And Response Team Were Recommended To Prevent Future Outbreaks And Aid Outbreak Preparedness.