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Challenges and Barriers of Humanitarian Hygiene Items Management in Recent Disasters in Iran

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2022

Haleh Adibi Larijani ,
Shandiz Moslehi ,
Fahimeh Barghi Shirazi Open the ORCID record for Fahimeh Barghi Shirazi [Opens in a new window] ,
Yosef Pashaee Asl ,
Afshin Alikhani  and
Farin Fatemi
Haleh Adibi Larijani
Affiliation:
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shandiz Moslehi*
Affiliation:
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fahimeh Barghi Shirazi
Affiliation:
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Yosef Pashaee Asl
Affiliation:
Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Afshin Alikhani
Affiliation:
Deputy Ministry of Health, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Iranian Red Crescent Society, Tehran, Iran
Farin Fatemi
Affiliation:
Research Center for Health Sciences and Technologies, School of Public Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Shandiz Moslehi, Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Objective:

The provision and continuation of the basic needs of affected communities, including water, food, and shelter remain the most important priorities in responding to disasters. In this regard, this study sought to investigate the management challenges of humanitarian hygiene items in recent disasters in Iran.

Methods:

This qualitative study was conducted through a semi-structured interview. Nineteen participants with different experiences, roles, and responsibilities in the recent disaster of Iran and experiences of various events in the national and international arenas were included in the study. A thematic analysis was used, and an initial conceptual framework was defined based on the study aim. The relationship between the components was compared and interpreted in this framework and the main and subthemes were extracted accordingly.

Results:

Six main themes and 21 subthemes were extracted based on the results. The main challenges in recent disasters were the lack of protocols and standard guidelines, inappropriate selection of items in each hygiene kit, the lack of standard distribution of hygiene kits, and the lack of attention to the affected population’s culture.

Conclusions:

Overall, it is necessary to define a system for preparation, supply, storage, and timely distribution of hygiene. Finally, it is suggested that an organization should be appointed for this purpose.

Keywords

disastershealth managementhumanitarian assistancehygiene itemssupply management
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e150
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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