http://hdl.handle.net/10144/10940 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:52:16 GMT 2013-06-19T08:52:16Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/278974 Title: Description and Predictive Factors of individual outcomes in a refugee camp based mental health intervention (Beirut, Lebanon) Authors: Bastin, Pierre; Bastard, Mathieu; Rossel, Ludovic; Melgar, Pablo; Jones, Alison; Antierens, Annick Abstract: There is little evidence on the effectiveness of services for the care of people with mental disorders among refugee populations. Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) has established a mental health centre in a mixed urban-refugee population in Beirut to respond to the significant burden of mental health problems. Patients received comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary team. A cohort of people with common and severe mental disorders has been analysed between December 2008 and June 2011 to evaluate individual outcomes of treatment in terms of functionality. Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/278974 2013-01-17T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/271999 Title: Public health surveillance after the 2010 Haiti earthquake: the experience of Médecins Sans Frontières Authors: Polonsky, Jonathan; Luquero, Francisco; Francois, Gwenola; Rousseau, Caroline; Caleo, Grazia; Ciglenecki, Iza; Delacre, Clara; Siddiqui, M Ruby; Terzian, Mego; Verhenne, Leen; Porten, Klaudia; Checchi, Francesco Abstract: Background In January 2010, Haiti was struck by a powerful earthquake, killing and wounding hundreds of thousands and leaving millions homeless. In order to better understand the severity of the crisis, and to provide early warning of epidemics or deteriorations in the health status of the population, Médecins Sans Frontières established surveillance for infections of epidemic potential and for death rates and malnutrition prevalence. Methods Trends in infections of epidemic potential were detected through passive surveillance at health facilities serving as sentinel sites. Active community surveillance of death rates and malnutrition prevalence was established through weekly home visits. Results There were 102,054 consultations at the 15 reporting sites during the 26 week period of operation. Acute respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea and malaria/fever of unknown origin accounted for the majority of proportional morbidity among the diseases under surveillance. Several alerts were triggered through the detection of immediately notifiable diseases and increasing trends in some conditions. Crude and under-5 death rates, and acute malnutrition prevalence, were below emergency thresholds. Conclusion Disease surveillance after disasters should include an alert and response component, requiring investment of resources in informal networks that improve sensitivity to alerts as well as on the more common systems of data collection, compilation and analysis. Information sharing between partners is necessary to strengthen early warning systems. Community-based surveillance of mortality and malnutrition is feasible but requires careful implementation and validation. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/271999 2013-01-07T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/271997 Title: Ending Neglect of older people in the response to Humanitarian Emergencies Authors: Karunakara, Unni; Stevenson, Frances Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/271997 2012-12-18T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/279019 Title: Moving from the 'Why' to the 'How': Reflections on Humanitarian Response in urban settings Authors: Lucchi, Elena Abstract: Given the rising numbers of crises in urban settings, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is currently shifting its focus from 'why' it should intervene to 'how' it should intervene effectively in these contexts. Beyond communities affected by natural disasters and epidemics, MSF has chosen to target populations in urban settings that are affected by violence or by marginalisation and neglect: these groups appear to suffer the greatest number of severe threats to their health and well-being. Recent reflection within MSF has identified a number of key operational challenges to confront in order to respond efficiently to the needs of these populations. These include: appropriate assessments; measurable indicators of vulnerability and impact; pertinent operational approaches and medical strategies; adapted security management; and responsible closure of activities. This paper summarises the main lessons learned from working in urban settings with the principal aim of mutual sharing and understanding. Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/279019 2012-07-01T00:00:00Z