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Background:Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) issues often get less priority than other aspects of humanitarian health response in emergencies and disasters. We aimed to explore the men’s perceptions of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), men’s involvement, and barriers to STIs prevention among men in the affected area by Merapi eruption 2010.Methods:The study used qualitative content analysis. Data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews with 2 participants living with STIs and focus on group discussions with 22 participants who witnessed Merapi eruption 2010 from December 2016 to March 2017 in Sleman District, the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia, including academicians, community leaders and community health workers.Results:Participants from the disaster site were mostly senior high school graduates aged between 33 and 46 years. Four themes developed from fourteen categories that represented the men’s perceptions of STIs, men’s involvement, and barriers to the STIs prevention among men in the affected area by Merapi eruption 2010, were revealed from the investigation.Conclusion:Low participation of men in STIs prevention has led to poor SRH outcomes among women. Nurses have a main role in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) to enhance the awareness and understanding of people in preparedness for future disasters. Thus, it is necessary for nurses and other health professionals involved in DRR to optimize coordination with community leaders, community health volunteers (health cadres), and other stakeholders to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases in the community.

Background Malaria is one of the most prevalent and deadliest illnesses in sub Saharan Africa. Despite recent gains made towards its control or elimination in past decades, many African countries still have endemic malaria transmission. Thus, the search for disease control strategies is indispensable. This study aimed to assess malaria burden at household level in Kongo central province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the impact of community participatory water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) action. Methods Mixed method research was conducted in two semi-rural towns, Mbanza-Ngungu (WASH action site) and Kasangulu (WASH control site) between 1 January 2017 through March 2018, involving 625 households (3,712 household members). Baseline and post-intervention malaria surveys focusing on malaria episodes and preventive measures in previous six-month period using the World Bank/WHO Malaria Indicator Questionnaire. An action research consisting of a six-month study was carried out which comprised two interventions: a community participatory WASH action aiming at eliminating mosquito breeding areas in the residential environment and a community anti-malaria education campaign. The latter was implemented at both the WASH action and Control sites. In addition, baseline and post-intervention malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was performed among respondents. Furthermore, a six-month hospital-based epidemiological study was conducted from 1 January through June 2017. Medical records of patients admitted at selected referral hospitals (one hospital per study site) were used to determine malaria trend in the sites. Results Long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) was the most commonly used preventive measure (55%), followed by mosquito repellent (15%), indoor residual spraying (2%), LLIN and indoor residual spraying combination (2%); however, 24% of households did not use any measures. Baseline malaria survey showed that 96% of respondents (heads of households) have reported at least one malaria episode occurring in the previous six-month period (January-June 2017); of them only 66.5% of them received malaria care at a health setting. In the Action Research, at household level, mean number of self-reported incident malaria cases decreased at WASH action site (2.3±2.2 cases vs. 1.2±0.7 cases, respectively; p

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Floods in Semarang, Indonesia are caused by a combination of coastal floods and flood tides due to climate change. Key health impacts of climate change are considered from the perspective of extreme weather events, infectious diseases, and drought-related problems. The aim of the study was to explore the adaptation strategies the Kemijen communities take to reduce the negative effects of floods on human health. An exploratory case study approach was carried out from April to June 2018 in Kemijen, Semarang. Data were obtained through field survey, face-to-face in-depth interview, observations, and literature studies. In total, 102 health cadres were chosen through total sampling. Twenty-three percent of health cadres reported the period in which they were suffering from floods already lasted for more than 8 years. Types of illnesses due to floods in their area were diarrhea, dengue fever, skin diseases, and leptospirosis. Community program led by Municipal Health Office, Puskesmas Karangdoro and health cadres have been implemented to monitor dengue fever cases. Public kitchen was provided through Dasa Wisma. Medical supplies and assistance needed to recover from flood-related diseases were provided through Posyandu. We concluded that primary health care (PHC) implemented by health cadres plays an important role in preparing for extreme events, monitoring and responding to infectious disease outbreaks due to changing patterns of vector- and waterborne diseases by providing extra support for communities. Insights into the integration of PHC adaptation strategies and strengthening the role of health cadres in flood risk management can help to meet the goal of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) that calls for the participation of people disproportionately affected by disasters and highlights the need to strengthen the link between health security and human resources management and disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Human health and wellbeing and the health of the biosphere are inextricably linked. The state of Earth’s life-support systems, including freshwater, oceans, land, biodiversity, atmosphere, and climate, affect human health. At the same time, human activities are adversely affecting natural systems. This review paper is the outcome of an interdisciplinary workshop under the auspices of the Future Earth Health Knowledge Action Network (Health KAN). It outlines a research agenda to address cross-cutting knowledge gaps to further understanding and management of the health risks of these global environmental changes through an expert consultation and review process. The research agenda has four main themes: (1) risk identification and management (including related to water, hygiene, sanitation, and waste management); food production and consumption; oceans; and extreme weather events and climate change. (2) Strengthening climate-resilient health systems; (3) Monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation; and (4) risk communication. Research approaches need to be transdisciplinary, multi-scalar, inclusive, equitable, and broadly communicated. Promoting resilient and sustainable development are critical for achieving human and planetary health.

Evacuation shelters are the most important means for safeguarding people in hazardous areas and situations, and thus minimizing losses, particularly those due to a disaster. Therefore, evacuation shelter assignment and evacuation planning are some of the critical factors for reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience in disaster risk reduction. However, an imbalance of shelter distribution and spatial heterogeneity of a population are the critical issues limiting the accessibility of evacuation shelters in real situations. In this study, we propose a methodology for spatial assessment to reduce vulnerability and evaluate the spatial distribution of both shelter demand and resources, considering spatial accessibility. The method was applied to the case study of Mabi, in the context of a disaster caused by the 2018 flooding. We applied this approach to evaluate the area and identified the vulnerability of the evacuation shelters and the residents. The proposed method revealed that 54.55% of the designated evacuation shelters and 59% of the total population were physically vulnerable to the flood. The results highlight, using GIS maps, that the total shelter capacity was significantly decreased to 43.86%. The outcome assessment addressed specific vulnerable shelters and the imbalance between the demand for and resources of each shelter. Accordingly, this study provides practical information and a valuable reference for supporting local governments and stakeholders to improve future disaster planning, prevention, and preparedness.

This opinion paper highlights the state of public health assessment in evacuation centers following the 2015 Nepal earthquake. It also suggests an approach to reinforce risk assessment and surveillance of communicable diseases (CD) in remote Nepalese districts. A short surveillance research was conducted on outbreaks of infectious diseases in Nepal in the post-2015 earthquake in evacuation centers in Kathmandu and Dhading districts. In collaboration with the Nursing Association of Nepal (NAN), the researchers have established a monitoring and surveillance system, named ‘EpiNurse’ program, in remote Nepalese districts. Periodic shelter to shelter visits, CD risk assessment and relief needs inventory in local communities are implemented, whereas health events with a potential to cause a CD outbreak are being reported to governmental agencies and health clusters involved in post-disaster relief in Nepal. Several cases of diarrheal diseases were identi fied in Nepalese districts after the 2015 earthquake, suggesting the existence of potential risk for the occurrence of new CD epidemics. Onsite risk assessment and monitoring of the effectiveness of actions and interventions implemented, as well as improvement of risk communication between relief agencies should be expanded to less resourced districts to reduce the risk of CD outbreak occurrence.

Summary: Malaria is one of the most prevalent and deadliest illnesses in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite recent gains made towards its control or elimination in past decades, many African countries still have endemic malaria transmission. Therefore, the search for novel disease control strategies and approaches are in progress. This study aimed to evaluate household malaria burden in Kongo central province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the impact of community participatory water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) action. Methods: Mixed method study was conducted in two semi-rural towns, Mbanza-Ngungu (WASH action site) and Kasangulu (control site), involving 625 households (3,712 individuals). Baseline and post-intervention surveys were conducted; an action research consisting of six-month prospective study was carried out which comprised two interventions: (1) community participatory WASH action and (2) anti-malaria education campaign. The latter was implemented in both study sites. In addition, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria was performed in respondents. Findings: Prevalence of positive malaria RDT among respondents decreased (38% vs. 20%) at WASH-action site, whereas it increased at the control site but not significantly. Of 96% of respondents who reported at least one malaria event occurring in the previous six-month period, only 66.5% of them received malaria care at a health setting. At household level, long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) was the most commonly used preventive measure (55%), followed by mosquito repellent (15%), indoor residual spraying (IRS) (2%), LLIN-IRS combination (2%); however, 24% of households did not use any measures. Mean household malaria incidence decreased in WASH action site; 2.3±2.2 cases vs. 1.2±0.7 cases, whereas no significant change was noted in control site. Moreover, malaria incidence rate was highest (60.9%) among households living in proximity to grassy and stagnant water spots. Proximity to high risk area (grassy/stagnant water spots) for malaria (ORa=5.13; 95%CI: 2-29-8.07; p

Water scarcity, together with the projected impacts of water stress worldwide, has led to a rapid increase in research on measuring water security. However, water security has been conceptualized under different perspectives, including various aspects and dimensions. Since public health is also an integral part of water security, it is necessary to understand how health has been incorporated as a dimension in the existing water security frameworks. While supply–demand and governance narratives dominated several popular water security frameworks, studies that are specifically designed for public health purposes are generally lacking. This research aims to address this gap, firstly by assessing the multiple thematic dimensions of water security frameworks in scientific disclosure; and secondly by looking into the public health dimensions and evaluating their importance and integration in the existing water security frameworks. For this, a systematic review of the Scopus database was undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A detailed review analysis of 77 relevant papers was performed. The result shows that 11 distinct dimensions have been used to design the existing water security framework. Although public health aspects were mentioned in 51% of the papers, direct health impacts were considered only by 18%, and indirect health impacts or mediators were considered by 33% of the papers. Among direct health impacts, diarrhea is the most prevalent one considered for developing a water security framework. Among different indirect or mediating factors, poor accessibility and availability of water resources in terms of time and distance is a big determinant for causing mental illnesses, such as stress or anxiety, which are being considered when framing water security framework, particularly in developing nations. Water quantity is more of a common issue for both developed and developing countries, water quality and mismanagement of water supply-related infrastructure is the main concern for developing nations, which proved to be the biggest hurdle for achieving water security. It is also necessary to consider how people treat and consume the water available to them. The result of this study sheds light on existing gaps for different water security frameworks and provides policy-relevant guidelines for its betterment. Also, it stressed that a more wide and holistic approach must be considered when framing a water security framework to result in sustainable water management and human well-being.

Aim To discuss the evolving roles of Japanese nurses in meeting the goals and concerns of ongoing global sustainable development. Background Japanese nurses’ roles have evolved as the needs of the country and the communities they served, changed over time. The comprehensive public healthcare services in Japan were provided by the cooperation of hospitals and public health nurses. Introduction The nursing profession is exploring ways to identify and systemize nursing skills and competencies that address global health initiatives for sustainable development goals. Methods This paper is based on the summary of a symposium, (part of the 2015 annual meeting of the Japan Association for International Health) with panel members including experts from Japan's Official Development Assistance. Findings The evolving role of nurses in response to national and international needs is illustrated by nursing practices from Japan. Japanese public health nurses have also assisted overseas healthcare plans. In recent catastrophes, Japanese nurses assumed the roles of community health coordinators for restoration and maintenance of public health. Discussion The Japanese experience shows that nursing professionals are best placed to work with community health issues, high-risk situations and vulnerable communities. Their cooperation can address current social needs and help global communities to transform our world. Conclusion Nurses have tremendous potential to make transformative changes in health and bring about the necessary paradigm shift. They must be involved in global sustainable development goals, health policies and disaster risk management. A mutual understanding of global citizen and nurses will help to renew and strengthen their capacities. Implications Nursing professionals can contribute effectively to achieve national and global health goals and make transformative changes.