Transmissible diseases in complex humanitarian emergencies

Section: Revisiones

How to quote

Ridocci Olmo E. Las enfermedades transmisibles en situaciones de emergencia compleja. Metas Enferm nov 2017; 20(9): 55-62.

Authors

Eva Ridocci Olmo

Position

Enfermera. Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes. Gijón (Asturias)

Contact address

Eva Ridocci Olmo. Avda. de Rufo García Rendueles, 22, 5º D. 33203 Gijón

Contact email: era_ridocci2@hotmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the incidence of complex emergencies and identify the associated risk factors.
Method: a narrative review based on the bibliographic search of original articles, published in Spanish or English, during the 1986-2016 period, in the Medline, PubMed, MEDES-MEDicina and ReliefWeb databases. The decision to limit the search to this period was based on including the start of the “complex humanitarian emergency” concept, from 1990 until current times. The inclusion criteria established were the original qualitative and quantitative studies published in scientific journals about transmissible diseases in complex emergencies, those diseases with higher endemic potential in complex emergency situations, risk factors in complex emergencies, factors for prevention of transmissible diseases and mortality and morbidity in complex emergencies. The definition of complex emergency used was the one issued by the “Diccionario de Acción Humanitaria y Cooperación al Desarrollo” (Dictionary for Humanitarian Action and Development Cooperation).
Results: twenty-one (21) articles were included. The age range most affected was between 0 and 15 year-old; 60 and 90% of deaths were attributed to acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, measles and malaria. The mortality figures for measles, meningitis and cholera have been gradually reduced during the past decade. Malaria remains stable, and the increase in yellow fever must be highlighted due to the interruption of vaccination campaigns. Malnutrition is one of the main factors increasing the predisposition to the development of this type of diseases.
Conclusions: the excess of morbimortality caused by transmissible diseases in complex emergencies can be avoided to a high extent if the adequate interventions are available.

Keywords:

Complex emergencies; military conflict; Refugees; transmissible diseases; risk factors; mortality; morbidity; morbidity

Versión en Español

Título:

Las enfermedades transmisibles en situaciones de emergencia compleja