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PubMed1994

The impact of disaster support work.

Limited available evidence suggests that disaster support work may have negative effects. This study attempts to examine the impact of disaster-related stress on helpers offering psychological support to victims of two major disasters, and to identify potential moderating factors. Sixty-seven social workers were surveyed, measures being taken of psychological symptomatology and wellbeing, personality variables, social support, life events, and various aspects of disaster support work. Comparison with normative data suggested that subjects were experiencing significant levels of stress. Two major sources of disaster-related stress were identified: role-related difficulties and contact with clients' distress. Approximately one third of the variance in helper response could be explained by variables reflecting coping style, prior life events and the aforementioned aspects of disaster support work. Follow-up data at 12 months demonstrated persisting high levels of stress.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experience in organizing the work of forensic medical experts with mass human victims after an earthquake (Neftegorsk, May-June 1995)].

The authors analyze the activities of a group of forensic medical experts of the Khabarovsk Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluation working in the team for liquidation of the consequences of the catastrophe in the town of Neftegorsk. The principles of work organization in the field were demonstrated under conditions of the minimal financing and material supply. General recommendations on the preparation and equipment of forensic medics for work in far-away regions in a focus of disaster involving numerous victims are offered.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2002

Disaster mental health services following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing: modifying approaches to address terrorism.

How did the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing differ from prior disasters and what implications did it have for disaster mental health services and service delivery? The federal disaster mental health approach in this country developed largely out of experiences with natural disasters. The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing differed in several important ways, including the large number of human casualties, higher rates of psychopathology, and an extended period of concern due to the criminal investigation and trials, which suggested the need to consider modifications in the program. Outreach was extensive, but psychiatric morbidity of direct victims was greater than that of victims of natural disasters, emphasizing the need for attention to the triage and referral process. Other concerns that warrant consideration include practices related to record keeping and program evaluation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Post-traumatic stress disorder in Australia and New Zealand: a clinical review of the consequences of inescapable horror.

Over the last 20 years, much has been written on the morbidity that results from disasters. However, it is only since 1980 with the introduction of the "new" diagnostic category of "post-traumatic stress disorder" in the third edition of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-III) that a specific diagnosis has become available for many of the victims of such disasters. While, as a condition, it has been recognized from antiquity, it has lacked official recognition in the nomenclature and has tended to be viewed, particularly between the end of World War II and the introduction of DSM-III, as a transient disorder. A description of the disorder is followed by a discussion of its relevance with particular reference to papers by Australian and New Zealand authors.

Australia↗
PubMed2003

Assessment of psychological functioning in adolescent earthquake victims in Colombia using the MMPI-A.

The earthquake that hit Armenia, Colombia, on January 25, 1999, dramatically impacted the lives of thousands of people, including children and adolescents. This study used the Hispanic MMPI-A to clinically assess for ongoing psychopathology in a group of 59 adolescent earthquake victims. Their scores on the basic, content, and supplementary scales of the instrument were compared to those of a control group of 62 Colombian adolescents with similar socioeconomic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. The results showed no clinically significant elevations for the earthquake victims indicating that the disaster had not resulted in diagnosable psychopathology. When compared to controls, earthquake victims showed significant elevations on D, Pt, and Sc indicating that they were mildly affected (but within the normal range) by the earthquake. The results are discussed in the context of cultural factors and the contemporary disaster and resiliency literature.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

Screening for the psychological consequences of a major disaster in a developing country: Armero, Colombia.

Seven months following the volcanic eruption that destroyed the small town of Armero, 200 victims were screened for emotional problems with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, a simple and reliable instrument. Fifty-five percent of the victims were found to be emotionally distressed. Variables associated with the presence of emotional distress included living alone, having lost previous job, feeling not being helped, not knowing date for leaving temporary shelter, being dissatisfied with living arrangements, complaining of non-specific physical symptoms or epigastric pain, and presenting several physical problems. The high prevalence of emotional distress supports the need to deliver mental care to disaster victims in developing countries through the primary level of care. Our findings provide guidelines for early detection of individuals at risk for developing emotional problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spinal cord injury rehabilitation in Armenia.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has once again provided a new beginning for the victims of natural disaster and has initiated a change in cultural attitudes toward people with disabilities. My work in Armenia has also helped me to grow and experience a "world view" of my own.

Armenia↗
PubMed1985

The nurse as a survivor: delayed post-traumatic stress reaction and cumulative trauma in nursing.

As opposed to studies on the immediate psychological impact of traumatic nursing experiences, little attention has been directed to the persistence of certain long-standing hidden symptoms of trauma in some nurses. Since psychological reactions to trauma are claimed to be similar, irrespective of the source of trauma, it is postulated that findings from recent studies on delayed post-traumatic stress reaction in Vietnam veterans, victims of natural disaster, and survivors of the holocaust, delineate symptoms which are also found in stress-prone nurses utilizing maladaptive coping strategies in response to hospital-related traumatic episodes. While some observations are conjectural and speculative, an integrated review is presented of areas of research hitherto unrelated, which serves to deepen our understanding of trauma and its impact upon the mental health of nurses.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Associated postmortem dental findings as an aid to personal identification.

The use of the unique features of the human dentition to aid in personal identification is well accepted within the forensic field. Indeed, despite advances in DNA and other identification methodologies, comparative dental identifications still play a major role in identifying the victims of violence, disaster or other misfortune. The classic comparative dental identification employs the use of postmortem and antemortem dental records (principally written notes and radiographs) to determine similarities and exclude discrepancies. In many cases the tentative identification of the individual is unknown and therefore antemortem records cannot be located. In such a situation a dental profile of the individual is developed to aid the search for the individual's identity. With such a profile a forensic odontologist can identify and report indicators for age at time of death, race (within the four major ethnic groups) and sex. In addition to these parameters the forensic dentist may be able to give more insight into the individual. This paper outlines, for the non-expert, some of the additional personal information that can be derived from the teeth of the deceased, and which may assist in their ultimate identification.

Forensic Dentistry↗
PubMed2002

Acute psychosocial stress and cardiovascular events.

Stressful life events can trigger acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Victims of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and other conditions of extreme stress should be evaluated for physical injuries as well as for cardiac disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Self-perceived traumatic stress in college: a survey.

Most studies of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder have involved war veterans and victims of natural disasters and violent crime. To evaluate the incidence at college, 179 college students' responses were examined. Analysis indicated that there was a high frequency of self-perceived traumatic stress in this sample; 42% reported traumatic events, whereas only 6% would meet strict diagnostic criteria. Automobile accidents, deaths, and harassment were events perceived as traumatic. Most students turned to themselves or friends for treatment. Apparently traumatic events are more prevalent on campus than previously thought and (with the exception of rape) are rarely covered in prevention programs. College health authorities should be aware of the high incidence of perceived trauma, inform college students of potential stressors, and provide appropriate treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Traumatic stress: a nurse therapist role?

The study of people who experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is still in its infancy. Yet it is already clear that victims of more common traumatic events are as much at risk of suffering short- and long-term psychological consequences as the victims of major disasters. Nurse therapists and specialists clinics could have a key role in working with people experiencing PTSD and in educating others about the problems.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Utilization of complex technologies of molecular genetics for forensic expert identification of unidentified remains of victims of terrorist acts in Moscow in 1999].

This paper presents the first experience gained in Russia in expert identification practice with complex utilization of technologies of molecular genetic individualization of biological objects for solving identification tasks requiring the maximum complete armory of mutually supplementing means. This is particularly important for forensic expert personality identification in cases with many deaths, when indirect identification has to be resorted to, consisting in the use of biological samples from relatives of the victims as the identifying objects. Methodological approaches and concepts of expert studies, used for identification of the remains of people who died in terroristic acts committed in Moscow in September, 1999, are discussed. The results of this study and methodological experience notably extend the potentialities of expert evaluation as regards forensic medical identification of victims of overall disasters, terroristic acts, and war conflicts.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2004

Mass fatality incidents: are California dentists ready to respond?

The role of dentists in identifying victims of mass disasters is well documented. The organization of dentists who are trained in identification procedures at a local, state, or federal level may be a valuable resource in the event of a mass disaster in California. This article explores the organization of dentists available to assist in a mass disaster at the state and federal level.

California↗
PubMed1991

[The principles of and some experience with component therapy in acute radiation sickness].

The previous experience gained with the treatment of acute radiation sickness supported during the treatment of the victims to the disaster at the Chernobyl NPP has shown the multimodality treatment to be indispensable for the bone marrow syndrome, particularly in terms of correcting postradiation thrombocytopenia and counteracting bleeding sickness. The use of the whole blood was found to be inadvisable because of the low efficacy, with the risk of transfusion complications being fairly high. Adequate replacement therapy with donor's platelets is capable of a complete modifying of the hemorrhagic syndrome.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

[History of public health in the country of Vaud in the middle ages: an evaluation].

The rich archival sources of mediaeval Vaudois institutions make it possible to study a great variety of health problems of that country. Recent studies elucidate, e.g., the administration of the vineyards of the hospital of the town of Vevey as well as the management of great numbers of pilgrims or victims of a disaster by the same hospital. Progression and demographic consequences of the plaque outbreaks of 1348 and 1360 have been worked out and the network of leper-houses could be reconstructed. Finally, the ambiguous attitude of the citizens of Lausanne towards their hospital in the 14th century has been revealed: pious legacies on the one hand, endeavour to control them politically on the other.

History, Medieval↗
PubMed1977

[Permanent identification team of the central criminal police bureau and its requirements for dentists].

The Norwegian Department of Justice has by Order in Council in 1975 established an identification team under the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Police Bureau. The team has four members: two police officers, one expert in forensic medicin and one in forensic dentistry. Deputy members of the team are also appointed and those for forensic medicine and forensic dentistry are residents of the three largest cities of Norway, viz. Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. The responsibility of the team is to identify victims of mass disasters, and to assist in other difficult identifications both in Norway and in foreign countries when Norwegian interests are involved. Each member of the team shall sign the identification report and will thus have a veto in uncertain cases. Consquently the dentist in the team must also evaluate the entire material in each case. For identification purposes, the dentists are urged to comply with some requirements as to dental charts, radiographs and treatment. Each patient must have a clear and readable dental chart containing his name, address and date of birth. Dental characteristics should be noted. Radiographic status should be made of the teeth of regular patients and of special teeth when extensive treatment is required. The radiograms must be kept in file and identified by the name of the patient and the date of exposure. Patients wearing dental prosthesis should be offered denture marking, and the dentures should be recorded in detail on the chart. For flying personell radiographic status is regarded mandatory, and recording of all resotrations are recommended. The aviation company should be informed of the name of the dentists of their crew. Wehn a dentist is asked for assistance in an identification case, the original dental chart, all radiograms models etc. are requested to be delivered. Additions or explantations may also be valuable.

Dental Records↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Radiosensitivity of erythropoietic stem cells (from the data on the aftereffects of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

The radiosensibility of erythropoietic tissue cells was estimated on the basis of analysis of erythrocyte and reticulocyte quantity changes in peripheral blood of the victims of the disaster on the Chernobyl NPP. The radiosensibility of blood cells was evaluated in accordance with their maturity (committed, committed-and-maturing and maturing pools). The population of erythropoietic tissue cells can be divided into two groups on the criterion of their radiosensibility. The first group demonstrates the highest level of radiosensibility varying from 0.5 to 1.73 Gy (n = 1). It includes the cells from primarily committed to basophilic normoblasts. The other group consisting of polychromatophils and oxyphils is more radioresistent. Do of these groups corresponds to their maturity and ascends from 4.7 to 12.9 Gy.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗