Myint N W, Kaewkungwal J, Singhasivanon P, Chaisiri K, Ponpet P, Siriwan P, Mallik A K, Thet K W
Medical Care Division, Department of Health, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Thailand.
Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2011 Jul;42(4):1014-21.
Community awareness, preparedness and response to public health emergencies are essential for a successful response to public health emergencies. This study was carried out to determine community awareness and perceptions regarding health sector preparedness and response to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. Six focus group discussions were carried out in 3 villages severely affected by Cyclone Nargis. Thematic content analysis was carried out to determine community perceptions. Focus group participants, consisting of community members, community leaders and government personnel, were aware of the cyclone, but were unaware of its intensity and where it would make landfall. There was inadequate knowledge on how to prepare for a cyclone. There was some training on cyclone preparation but coverage was not wide enough. Participants received service and relief from health sector; they had a positive attitude toward health services provided to them. However, 5 out of 6 focus groups stated most villagers were not interested in health education. Only a few participants had some knowledge on how to prepare for a cyclone. Based on these results, there are evident weaknesses on how to prepare for cyclones. Community preparedness is essential to prevent disasters with cyclones, such as with Cyclone Nargis.
社区对突发公共卫生事件的认知、准备和应对能力对于成功应对突发公共卫生事件至关重要。本研究旨在确定缅甸社区对卫生部门针对纳尔吉斯气旋的准备和应对工作的认知及看法。在纳尔吉斯气旋严重影响的3个村庄开展了6次焦点小组讨论。通过主题内容分析来确定社区的看法。焦点小组参与者包括社区成员、社区领袖和政府人员，他们知晓气旋，但不清楚其强度以及登陆地点。对于如何为气旋做准备，知识不足。有一些关于气旋准备的培训，但覆盖范围不够广泛。参与者从卫生部门获得了服务和救济；他们对提供给他们的卫生服务持积极态度。然而，6个焦点小组中有5个表示大多数村民对健康教育不感兴趣。只有少数参与者了解一些如何为气旋做准备的知识。基于这些结果，在如何为气旋做准备方面存在明显不足。社区准备对于预防气旋灾害（如纳尔吉斯气旋）至关重要。
