Emergencies such as floods and earthquakes lead to the displacement of different kinds of living organisms. Each emergency is characteristic of different kinds of vectors and diseases caused by the vectors. The pathogens can be transmitted by mechanical means or biological transformation (Adams et al., 2014). The vectors can lead to a likely spread of infections or diseases after a disaster occurrence (Veneema, 2013). Besides disease transmission, vectors are seen as a nuisance, mainly if they cause painful bites. Vector control in emergencies is necessary because, in most emergencies, illnesses as a result of vectors are main reason for ill health and mortality.
Vector Control Plan Description
Before designing a vector control plan, an assessment of vector-borne infection risk and clinical proof of the infection among the affected people should be conducted. The vector control plan implemented by nurses in emergencies comprises three major components, as proposed by the Sphere Project. The first component is personal and family protection. Nurses should ensure that all the affected individuals have the required knowledge on protection from the identified vector(s). Public education on vector-borne diseases should be enhanced (Persell, 2016). The public education can focus on signs and symptoms of the vector-borne disease as well as the need to seek medical help in case of the disease. In addition, the affected population should be equipped with requirements for protecting oneself from disease and the vectors that are likely to cause disease (Veneema, 2013). The other component of a vector control plan is physical, environmental, and chemical protection measures (Veneema, 2013). The measures ensure that the amount of vectors that cause disease in the affected population following a disaster is maintained at an acceptable level. Environmental control measures include altering the vectors' breeding sites. Physical measures comprise of actions such as using bed nets while chemical control measures use chemicals such as insecticides. The implementation of appropriate measures in the use of chemical control methods is also an essential component of a vector control plan.
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Capacity and Competency in Disaster Preparedness
In vector control, strengthening the system capacity is essential for effective response after a disaster occurrence. In addition, competency in disaster preparedness is crucial. Capacity is the abilities and resources that exist within an agency/institution, or community to handle an emergency, minimize risks, and improve resilience. Capacity can further be defined as the ability of an organization to react to events which are beyond the everyday resources (Alexander, 2002). An actor in disaster management can be different groups, an emergency management system, government, or various organizations. Emergency preparedness competency, on the other hand, refers to an organization's staff possessing the required set of skills, knowledge, and abilities to do their duties in an effective and efficient manner in during emergencies (Alexander, 2002). Both terms are similar in the fact that they determine the potential of an organization to manage an accident or emergency. However, the two terms are different in that capacity comprise of all resources that include financial and human resources, among others. In contrast, emergency preparedness competency is the ability or potential of human resources only in responding to an emergency.
Nursing Ethics in Disaster Management
ANA codes of ethics are an essential aspect that guides the actions of a nurse during practice (Johnstone, 2015). However, conflicts may arise between codes of ethics in situations where a nurse is needed to quarantine an individual during an emergency response. The first and fourth provisions of the nursing codes of ethics disagree in quarantine circumstances. The first provision states "the nurse practices with compassion and respect for inherent dignity, worth and unique attributes of every person" (Olson & Stokes, 2016, p.2). The fourth provision, on the other hand, states "the nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice: makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care" (Olson & Stokes, 2016, p.2). In the first provision, the patient has a right to self-determination and should be accorded human dignity, meaning that quarantine would be going against the first provision. However, the fourth provision allows the nurse to exercise authority in promoting health. The fourth provision supports quarantine.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Emergency Situations
In a natural crisis, a public health nurse has concerns to address based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. These needs are:
The physiological requirements include food, water, excretion, and sleep, among others. The needs are needed for human survival. Food and water are required for the normal functioning of the body, survival, and energy to conduct daily activities. Without excretion, accumulation of waste matter is toxic and can lead to disease, while lack of sleep may lead to the development of diseases and poor health in general. When the physiological needs are not fulfilled as it happens in most post-disaster situations, the affected people can get sick, suffer, undergo pain, and lack comfort (Veneema, 2013).
Safety needs which include safety of body and that of physical fitness are concerns that need to be addressed in emergency response situations. Addressing the two safety needs contributes to the psychological well-being of the affected people and contributes to their ability to deal with other issues towards stability.
Belonging needs include friendship and family. These create a sense of being loved and belonging. Addressing the needs ensure that individuals have individuals they can identify with which is crucial for their physical as well as psychological well-being
Esteem includes respect for others and respect by others. Despite the occurrence of a disaster, human beings need to feel respected by others. They need to be accorded their dignity as human beings.
Self-actualization involves aspects such as creativity and lack of prejudice. The realization of an individual's talents and abilities is a need that is present in every person. Therefore, in a post-disaster situation, meeting the need for self-actualization is important.
Conclusion
Vector control is critical in emergencies. Among the known vector-borne diseases, malaria attracts the most significant concern in public health. Also, diseases caused by vectors are a complicated and challenging issue that, in most cases, needs the intervention of experts in controlling vectors. Planning in vector control is essential because it helps save lives, prevents disease, and saves emergency resources. A vector control plan incorporates several aspects aimed at reducing the spread of diseases caused by vectors. In circumstances where experts are not quickly available, nurses can implement several effective interventions to minimize the increase of vector-borne diseases/infections.
References
Adams, M., Holland, N., & Urban, C. (2014). Pharmacology for nurses: A pathophysiologic approach (4th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
Alexander D. (2002). Principles of emergency planning and management. Harpenden: Terra Publishing.
Johnstone, M.-J. (2015). Nursing ethics . Los Angeles: Sage reference.
Olson, L. L., & Stokes, F. (2016). The ANA code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements: Resource for nursing regulation. Journal of Nursing Regulation , 7 (2), 9–20. doi: 10.1016/s2155-8256(16)31073-0
Persell, D. J. (2016). Implications of disaster preparedness for nursing . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Veneema, T.G. (2013). Disaster nursing and emergency preparedness: For chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism and other hazards. New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
