An Overview of the Strengths and Challenges Related to Health on the First 10 Days after the Large Earthquake in the West of Iran, 2017

Background and Aim: Regarding the importance of the quick and vital responsiveness of the health system, especially the human force and facilities related to health, this study was done and aimed at investigating the strengths, weaknesses, and the health-related needs in the first 10 days after the large earthquake in the west of Iran by interviewing the experts in 2017; it is hoped that the results of the present study would be useful for the probable disasters in the future. The objective of the present study was to investigate the strengths and challenges related to health during the first 10 days after the large earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab.Methods: This is a qualitative study was a type of content analysis that conducted on November 132017 ,23-in Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah that was hit by an earthquake. Data were collected using the researcher’s observation, interviewing the experts, holding focus groups with the participation of the experts, employees, and policymakers. Some questions were asked from each of the experts regarding the taken measures, challenges, strengths, insufficiencies, and needs in their job; then, they were discussed.Result: The research findings were categorized into 7 major groups of environmental health, mental health, mothers’, infants’, and children’s health, field hospital, nutrition, contagious diseases, and drug. The environmental health issues were done with more cooperation and coordination. Moreover, many of the caring, health, medical, and monitoring measures were taken by different organizations that led to chaos in the region to a great extent.Conclusion: With regard to the fact that the health and therapeutic issues are considerable in the regions affected by the earthquake, lack of quick and appropriate actions will result in extensive health problems and even epidemics, the incident of chronic diseases, and exacerbation of mental disorders

کلیدواژه ها:

Kermanshah ، Iran ، Earthquake ، Health