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Response to the Bam Earthquake: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of the Top and Middle Level Health Managers in Kerman, Iran

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2014

Mahmood Moosazadeh ,
Farzaneh Zolala ,
Khodadad Sheikhzadeh ,
Saeid Safiri  and
Mohammadreza Amiresmaili
Mahmood Moosazadeh
Affiliation:
Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, The Islamic Republic of Iran
Farzaneh Zolala*
Affiliation:
Regional Knowledge Hub for HIV/AIDS Surveillance, WHO Collaborating Center, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, The Islamic Republic of Iran
Khodadad Sheikhzadeh
Affiliation:
Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute of Future Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, The Islamic Republic of Iran
Saeid Safiri
Affiliation:
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
Mohammadreza Amiresmaili
Affiliation:
Research Center for Health Services Management, Institute of Future Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, The Islamic Republic of Iran
*
Correspondence: Farzaneh Zolala, PhD Regional Knowledge Hub for HIV/AIDS Surveillance, WHO Collaborating Center, School of Public Health Kerman University of Medical Sciences Jomhouri Blvd Kerman, Islamic Republic of Iran E-mail zolalafarzaneh@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction

The 2003 Bam, Iran earthquake resulted in high casualties and required international and national assistance. This study explored local top and middle level managers’ disaster relief experiences in the aftermath of the Bam earthquake.

Methods

Using qualitative interview methodology, top and middle level health managers employed during the Bam earthquake were identified. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with participants. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Results showed that the managers interviewed experienced two main problems. First, inadequacy of preparation of local health organisations, which was due to lack of familiarity of the needs, unavailability of essential needs, and also increasing demands, which were above the participants’ expectations. Second, inappropriateness of delivered donations was perceived as a problem; for example, foods and sanitary materials were either poor quality or expired by date recommended for use. Participants also found international teams to be more well-equipped and organised.

Conclusions

During the disaster relief period of the response to the Bam earthquake, local health organizations were ill prepared for the event. In addition, donations delivered for relief were often poor quality or expired beyond a usable date.

MoosazadehM, ZolalaF, SheikhzadehK, SafiriS, AmiresmailiM. Response to the Bam Earthquake: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of the Top and Middle Level Health Managers in Kerman, Iran. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(4):1-4.

Keywords

BamIrandisaster managementearthquake
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 29 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 388 - 391
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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