Sadegh kazemi; Mehdi Mokhtari; Aliakbar Vaezi; Ibrahim Salmani; Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush; Hossien Fallahzadeh; Abbas Ali Dehghani Tafti
Volume 25, Issue 12 , 2023
Abstract
Introduction: Managing the challenges of healthcare waste produced after the earthquake is a vital issue. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive management plan for healthcare waste in Kermanshah and Varzaqan-Ahar earthquakes using two models: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) ...
Read More
Introduction: Managing the challenges of healthcare waste produced after the earthquake is a vital issue. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive management plan for healthcare waste in Kermanshah and Varzaqan-Ahar earthquakes using two models: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM).
Materials and Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted through a content analysis approach using semi-structured interviews and a purposive selection of 16 experienced experts and managers in the field of healthcare waste management in an earthquake in 2021-2022. After recording and transcribing data, data analysis was done in MAXQDA software (version 18). Lincoln and Goba criteria were used to check the reliability of the data. The statements (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of waste management) were summarized for each main category in the SWOT classification. Strategies for improving healthcare waste management were presented by comparing internal and external factors. Finally, the attractiveness table was compiled and weighted using the QSPM method for prioritizing strategies.
Results: The study found 18 strengths, 24 weaknesses, 18 opportunities, and 19 threats. The final scores for internal and external factors of healthcare waste management in earthquakes were 2.38 and 2.3, respectively. A total of 12 strategies were developed based on the findings. Finally, the strategy of "optimal use of the opinions provided by managers, researchers, and experts interested in the field of waste management for the development of guidelines and national regulations for the management of healthcare waste in an earthquake" was prioritized to be implemented based on the QSPM matrix.
Conclusion: The strategic priorities identified in this study are important steps towards achieving sustainable development goals and protecting public health and the environment in disaster situations. Moreover, using QSPM and SWOT models helps to provide appropriate solutions for improving the management of healthcare waste in earthquakes.
Rohoollah Askari; Mohsen Pakdaman; Mohammad Zarezadeh; Ebrahim Salmani; Payman Asadi; Ahmad Dehghan; Hossein Fallahzade; Alireza Jahandideh Zamidani
Volume 24, Issue 12 , 2022
Abstract
Background: Hazards have always been considered a threat to human life and preparedness to deal with risks for pre-hospital emergency as the first line of care and treatment is highly significant. Pre-hospital emergency (clinical) deals with different natural and man-made hazards which cause various ...
Read More
Background: Hazards have always been considered a threat to human life and preparedness to deal with risks for pre-hospital emergency as the first line of care and treatment is highly significant. Pre-hospital emergency (clinical) deals with different natural and man-made hazards which cause various harms. Preservation of disaster preparedness is one of the pre-hospital emergency concerns.
Objectives: In this regard, the present study aimed to determine the priority of hazards and design preparedness programs based on health response.
Methods: The present study was based on a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted in Rasht, Iran in 2019. The method used in this study was a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. In a qualitative method, the major threats and potential hazards of pre-hospital emergency were identified by reviewing the texts and searching for relevant articles. Afterward, its effectiveness and the significance of its risk or threat were evaluated using a researcher-made checklist. In total, 19 crisis liaisons from the organizations involved in crisis management in Rasht were questioned, 18 of whom responded to the checklist.
Results: The results obtained from the opinions of the experts showed that the risk of earthquakes (88.8%) and seasonal flood (83.3%), among all the risks investigated, have a higher priority than traffic accidents (77.7%) and heavy snowfall (72.2%) in the society. They had a review. The pre-hospital emergency is closely related to many various risks, among which the earthquake risk was chosen as the priority by the community of experts participating in this research. For the emergency of the earthquake, preparedness plans were produced based on the response plan of the health sector and the additional comments of the expert community.
Conclusion: Identification of high-priority risks and design of appropriate response plans will help those in charge to face and prepare in time and reduce damages.
