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Life Recovery After Disasters: A Qualitative Study in the Iranian Context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2013

Hamidreza Khankeh ,
Maryam Nakhaei ,
Gholamreza Masoumi ,
Mohammadali Hosseini ,
Zohreh Parsa-Yekta ,
Lisa Kurland  and
Maaret Castren
Hamidreza Khankeh
Affiliation:
University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Maryam Nakhaei*
Affiliation:
University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Gholamreza Masoumi
Affiliation:
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadali Hosseini
Affiliation:
University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zohreh Parsa-Yekta
Affiliation:
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Lisa Kurland
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Maaret Castren
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
*
Correspondence: Maryam Nakhaei Nursing Department University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences Koodakyar Alley, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Evin Street, Tehran, Iran E-mail Maryamnakhaee.mn@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction

Planned and organized long-term rehabilitation services should be provided to victims of a disaster for social integration, economic self-sufficiency, and psychological health. There are few studies on recovery and rehabilitation issues in disaster situations. This study explores the disaster-related rehabilitation process.

Method

This study was based on qualitative analysis. Participants included 18 individuals (eight male and ten female) with experience providing or receiving disaster health care or services. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed and content analysis was performed based on qualitative content analysis.

Results

The study explored three main concepts of recovery and rehabilitation after a disaster: 1) needs for health recovery; 2) intent to delegate responsibility; and 3) desire for a wide scope of social support. The participants of this study indicated that to provide comprehensive recovery services, important basic needs should be considered, including the need for physical rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, and livelihood health; the need for continuity of mental health care; and the need for family re-unification services. Providing social activation can help reintegrate affected people into the community.

Conclusion

Effective rehabilitation care for disaster victims requires a clear definition of the rehabilitation process at different levels of the community. Involving a wide set of those most likely to be affected by the process provides a comprehensive, continuous, culturally sensitive, and family-centered plan.

KhankehH, NakhaeiM, MasoumiG, HosseiniM, Parsa-YektaZ, KurlandL, CastrenM. Life Recovery After Disasters: A Qualitative Study in the Iranian Context. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):573-579.

Keywords

disasterdisaster rehabilitationrecovery processrehabilitation
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 6 , December 2013 , pp. 573 - 579
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2013 

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