Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
2 Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
3 Rehabilitation Management Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
Abstract
BACKGROUND: People with physical disability are vulnerable in disasters because of their mobility
limitations. They are unable to escape from hazards and their needs have been somewhat neglected
in planning and relief measures.
AIM: This study aimed to identify the mobility needs of people with physical disability during
earthquakes across different provinces of Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using 18 semi‑structured interviews
with participants who had a kind of mobility disability. The participants, across six provinces of Iran
who had experienced an earthquake, were selected by purposive sampling in two ways of snowballing
and maximum variation in 2017. Data were analyzed thematically assisted by MAXQDA 10 software.
RESULTS: The mobility needs included house and workplace adaptation, spare assistive devices,
easy access to vehicles, special facilities for emergency evacuation, adaptation and accessibility of
shelters, adapted bathroom and toilet, and transferring by others.
CONCLUSION: By considering needs and experiences of people with physical disability in disaster
planning, appropriate interventions can be arranged to promote the level of response in disasters.
Such measures can have a significant role in maintaining the lives and health of such people.
Keywords
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