Assessment of health system functions in earthquake-stricken regions in Kermanshah, Iran
The present study is aimed to assess the health system functions after the Kermanshah earthquake in 2017 in Iran. The assessment of the health system functions can lead to the provision of the necessary healthcare services for the affected population post-disasters. Functions of the health system were assessed in the aspects of reproductive, pediatric, and environmental health through a community-based survey in earthquake-affected regions of Kermanshah province. The assessment data showed that the frequency of providing health services decreased from a one-year to a two-year interval time after the earthquake. The assessment of reproductive, pediatric, and environmental health aspects of health system functions at the same time can make our research specific and comprehensive.
The authors' findings indicate that environmental health of disaster-affected regions such as water, waste, and food needs to be assessed for necessary interventions. Accordingly, a review of the public health needs assessment after major earthquakes reported that water health, food security, environmental health, and vaccinations were the items which were frequently evaluated after disasters. Furthermore, the prevalence of infectious diseases after disasters needs environmental health measures to decrease mortality and morbidity issues. The implementation of environmental health measures can facilitate the return of communities and health systems to normal life.
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