Abstract

RODRIGUEZ SALVA, Armando  and  TERRY BERRO, Blanca. Determinación rápida de las necesidades de salud en desastres naturales agudos por terremotos. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2002, vol.40, n.3, pp.294-307. ISSN 0253-1751.

Due to the current trends of the approach of health management in case of disaster, it is necessary to rationalize the response in order to determine the needs appropriately. The fast evaluation methods consist of a wide group of epidemiological, statistical and anthropological techniques aimed at providing precise, opportune and low-cost information rapidly in a simple format at the local level. An urgent evaluation carried out in the immediate postimpact period will allow to determine the magnitude of the disaster, the necessary resources, the local response capacity and to plan adequate actions. The fast evaluation of the sanitary situation and of the health needs is an essential first step to face a disaster. The immediate establishment of an inventory of the situation facilitates to fix priorities and to organize aid efficiently, so as not to waste time and resources. In the emergency management, the evaluation should always be fast and it should also be made in a limited time, during or immediately after the emergency. A serious compromise should exist between accuracy and celerity. A delay on reporting the conclusions of the evaluation generally means that the assistance will be given without taking into consideration the real needs. The present paper offers a useful tool for health professionals to collect, organize and analyze those data in the community that may be effectively used to make decisions in case of disasters.

Keywords : NEEDS ASSESSMENT; DISASTER EPIDEMIOLOGY; DISASTER EMERGENCIES; EARTHQUAKES (DISASTERS).