The Need for Emergency Management Models

Emergency agencies can use emergency management models to enable them to better prepare for and respond to emergencies. This qualitative study aims to undertake a critical examination of emergency management models by thematic analysis to determine their significance to emergency management. A review and analysis of the existing literature were used in the study. The models were studied to explore their role in emergency management and to identify any significant constraints or challenges which could limit the ability of the emergency management model to carry out appropriate actions. The study found that such models are indispensable because they simplify and improve emergency management. Additionally, they may support planners, managers, and practitioners in reaching proper decisions, making them a valuable and necessary decision-making support tool. The study also showed that each model has an advantage that distinguishes it from the other models. Consequently, a comprehensive emergency management model should be designed to suit all cases and circumstances. The findings also confirmed the doubts raised about the limitations and concerns associated with the models. Concerns included future events’ unpredictability, the models’ prescriptive nature, the event’s cultural context, and the impact on businesses. The findings also indicated that certain planners, managers, and practitioners had a limited understanding of the use of models in emergency management. As such, they appear to have overlooked the use of models while dealing with emergencies. Hence, the study recommends that the models should be employed in all emergency management activities. The study also recommends that the findings are utilized as a basis for further research into the potential use of emergency management models

Systematic review on knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and risk factors among young women

Introduction: Breast cancer is considered the primary cancer to affect women according to the global context. Due to its crucial escalation, it has become vital to inform the general population regarding breast cancer symptoms, risk factors and earlier detection methods. The main aim of the present study is to conduct a systematic review of breast cancer and the risk factors affecting young adult women. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out to garner global studies on breast cancer risk factors as well as to understand the degree to which breast cancer and its associated risk factors are understood. The primary study included the exploration of databases and journal websites, PubMed, Google Scholar and Medline. The articles studied for the review was focused on the printed original English articles from the year 2008 to December, 2017. This review highlights the necessity for further studies regarding knowledge of breast cancer and its risk factors among young adult women are understood. Conclusion: Knowledge about breast cancer and its risk factors among young women was inadequate. Furthermore, cultural sensitivities should be adjusted to ensure optimal awareness among the public, in particular teenagers and young adult women. Intensive educational campaigns should be planned to increase breast cancer awareness in order to minimize the observed deficit of knowledge. The role of prevention and procedures to screen breast examinations in clinics as well as mammography should all be highlighted in order to achieve these goals and obtain the required data

A Structural Review on Disaster Management Models and Their Contributions

This qualitative study aimed to undertake a critical examination of the models by thematic analysis to determine their contribution to disaster management. A review and analysis of the literature were used. The models were studied to explore their contribution to disaster management and to identify any significant constraints or challenges which could limit the ability of the models to carry out appropriate disaster risk reduction actions. The study found that such models are indispensable because they simplify and improve disaster management. Additionally, they may support planners, managers, and practitioners in reaching proper decisions, making them valuable and necessary decision-making support tools. The study also found that the four key phases of disaster management – mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery – constitute the basis of the majority of models. The study also showed that each model has an advantage that distinguishes it from the other models. The findings also confirmed the doubts raised about the limitations and concerns associated with the models. Concerns included future disasters’ unpredictability, the models’ prescriptive nature, and the impact on businesses. The findings also indicated that certain planners, managers, and practitioners had a limited understanding of the use of models in disaster management. As such, they appear to have overlooked the use of models while dealing with disasters. Hence, the study recommends that the models should be employed in all disaster management phases. The study also recommends that the findings are utilized as a basis for further research into the potential use of disaster management models

Social identity loss and reverse culture shock: Experiences of international students in China during the COVID-19 pandemic

The results revealed that students who remained in China experienced challenges which included anxiety, closure of campuses, lockdown, their parents’ concern regarding health issues, and not being able to meet with friends. On the other hand, students who had left China during the pandemic were confined to their home countries. This group of students experienced more severe problems than the students who remained in China. Since the transition to home countries was “unplanned,” they were not ready to readjust to their native culture and were vulnerable to severe reverse culture shock. Upon returning to their home countries, international students faced a number of challenges, including readjustment to their home countries and changes in their lives in host and home countries. In addition, they lost social and academic resources, such as the disruption of study environment, losing important group memberships, financial constraints, visa expiry, graduation delay, and academic suspension

A Structural Review on Disaster Management Models and Their Contributions

This qualitative study aimed to undertake a critical examination of the models by thematic analysis to determine their contribution to disaster management. A review and analysis of the literature were used. The models were studied to explore their contribution to disaster management and to identify any significant constraints or challenges which could limit the ability of the models to carry out appropriate disaster risk reduction actions. The study found that such models are indispensable because they simplify and improve disaster management. Additionally, they may support planners, managers, and practitioners in reaching proper decisions, making them valuable and necessary decision-making support tools. The study also found that the four key phases of disaster management – mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery – constitute the basis of the majority of models. The study also showed that each model has an advantage that distinguishes it from the other models. The findings also confirmed the doubts raised about the limitations and concerns associated with the models. Concerns included future disasters’ unpredictability, the models’ prescriptive nature, and the impact on businesses. The findings also indicated that certain planners, managers, and practitioners had a limited understanding of the use of models in disaster management. As such, they appear to have overlooked the use of models while dealing with disasters. Hence, the study recommends that the models should be employed in all disaster management phases. The study also recommends that the findings are utilized as a basis for further research into the potential use of disaster management models

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Effect of educational breast cancer smartphone application on knowledge, health beliefs and breast self-examination practices among female undergraduate students at a college university in Saudi Arabia

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancerous deaths among females worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancerous deaths among Saudi women. Early detection of breast cancer can play an important role in reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. Early detection could be promoted by increasing knowledge, and by minimizing barriers about breast cancer. Previous studies have shown low breast cancer awareness among young Saudi women. Web based and smartphone applications covering a wide range of health topics including healthy lifestyle, fitness, disease management, and public health are currently available across all app stores with over 70% of them targeted at health. The main objective of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the educational program on breast cancer through a smartphone application based on knowledge, breast self-examination practices and health beliefs related to breast cancer among female students in university colleges in Saudi Arabia. This study is comprised of two phases which are the development of an educational application and also the evaluation of the educational protocol through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) among female students. The first phase is based on the qualitative approach and through a panel of experts, the final version of the apps was prepared and validated. The second phase of the study was done through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for the selection of the participants. All female students who fulfilled the study’s inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study with the provision of the informed consent form. Baseline data were collected from 144 female students (72 from the intervention group and 72 from the control group). The research instruments which included components on knowledge, practices, health belief and technology acceptance were adapted and adopted based on the literature. Content and face validity, on the other hand, were assessed by a panel of experts, followed by a pilot study. The intervention module is composed of an educational program on breast cancer and was validated and developed using a smartphone application. The data were collected at baseline, one month, 3 months and six months after intervention for both groups. The descriptive and inferential statistics used were the two-way repeated measure ANOVA and Chi square test for data analysis purpose using the SPSS software version 24. The results of the two-way repeated measure ANOVA indicate that the level of knowledge in the intervention group significantly increased after using the application. According to these results, it was found that the frequency of selfexamination in the intervention group was (79.5%) in follow-up1 and increased to 86.3% in follow-up 2, which was significantly different from the control group (p<0.001). These results also showed that the effects of intervention on the level of health belief components (perceived seriousness, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, confidence and health motivation) in the pre, post and follow-up tests in the intervention have increased significantly: perceived seriousness [3.23(SP 0.36), 3.65(SD 0.53), 3.71(SD 0.46), 372(SD 0.43), p<0.01], and perceived susceptibility [2.90(SD 0.29), 3.79(SD 0.34), 3.79(SD 0.35), 3.83(SD 0,35),p<0.01],and perceived benefits [2.83(SD 0.34), 3.66(SD 0.24), 3.72(SD 0.22), 3.87(SD 0.19),p<0.01] and perceived barriers [4.14(SD 0.29), 2.46(SD 0.32), 2.22(SD 0.39), 2.19(SD 0.40), p<0.01] and confidence [3.08(SD 0.37), 3.77(SD 0.31), 3.85(SD 0.31), 3.83(SD 0.22), p<0.01] and health motivation [2.94(SD 031), 3.86(SD 0.27), 3.99(SD 0.25), 3.97(SD 0.28), p<0.01]. Differences between the intervention and control group were also statistically significant in the post-test, follow-up1 and follow-up2 (p<0.05). The results for the technology acceptance components among students in the intervention group indicated that that the level of all components related to using provided application have significantly improved across time. The study concluded that educational breast cancer smartphone application was an effectiveness approach on improving the knowledge, breast self-examination practices and health belief components to breast cancer among female students. Based on the findings of this study, more intervention experiments are needed to be applied to workplaces, rural, urban and other areas. in addition, this app could be used in hospital/community health settings. It can also be used individually by the females to detect breast cancer without incurring great costs

A reliability risk-based methodology for highway bridge maintenance decision making

Bridges are known to be crucial structures, which assist in the overall transportation infrastructure systems. They continue to serve for a long period of time and thus, they are usually subjected to multiple loadings in addition to several risks in their service life. Therefore, they require a great deal of maintenance in order to preserve their functionality. Risk management of bridges is particularly important for understanding the likelihood of extreme events and service distribution along with the consequences of service disruption. Thus, this thesis is concerned with developing and providing a detailed reliability risk-based methodology for the decision making of highway bridges made of concrete and steel. This research was aimed on delivering a successful tool which can provide a safety risk analysis for bridge structures. A review of the relevant literature was first carried out which assisted in providing a detailed background on bridges. This included discussing studies exploring bridge accidents in order to understand the reasons behind such accidents. Next, the aim of this study was successfully achieved by basing the proposed tool on a numerical model, which is relevant to the maintenance of bridge structures. The goals of this research were satisfied by reviewing, analysing and utilising the Fuzzy Reasoning Approach (FRA), Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) techniques. A new safety risk model applicable for bridges was then proposed. Three input parameters, Consequence Severity (CS), Failure Frequency (FF) and Weight Factor (WF) were introduced and then used for assessing the risks from components levels all the way to system level. Moreover, the Consequence Severity Criteria (CSC) parameter is introduced as the multi-consequences parameter, which takes into consideration eight factors that are considered significant for the risk analysis of bridges. The eight factors, which are, functionality, safety, value for money, environment, traffic delay, time, reputational damage and socio-economic consequences are discussed in detail. Three case studies were used for validating and verifying the reliability of the proposed risk assessment and safety management model. Overall, for the first time, this work has carried out research as well as propose a safety model for risk assessment of highway bridges. In the case of no available information or risk data, it is possible to use subjective estimations with the proposed risk model. This is because the model permits the use of imprecise as well as vague descriptors for directly capturing experts’ judgements. While there are certain complexities associated with the application of FAHP, the proposed risk assessment model uses an enhanced version of FAHP, which needs only a few expert judgements. The developed model is based specifically on highway bridges. Hence, the benefits of the model can be summarised in its ability to combine engineering judgements as well as expert knowledge with various risk information for the assessment of highway bridges in a reliable approach