Risk factors for clinical stages of COVID-19 amongst employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worldwide over a period of 12 months

BACKGROUND

Essential workers carry a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality than individuals working in non-essential activities. Scientific studies on COVID-19 risk factors and clinical courses for humanitarian aid workers (HAW) specifically are lacking. The nature of their work brings HAW in proximity to various populations, therefore potentially exposing them to the virus. The objective of this study is to assess severity degrees of COVID-19 in relation to multiple risk factors in a cohort of HAW.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of data collected by the Staff Health Unit of the International Committee of the Red Cross, over 12 months (February 2021 - January 2022). Prevalence of demographic and health risk factors and outcome events were calculated. Factors associated with disease severity were explored in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Resulting OR were reported with 95%CI and p-values from Wald Test. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

We included 2377 patients. The mean age was 39.5y.o. Two thirds of the patients were males, and 3/4 were national staff. Most cases (3/4) were reported by three regions (Africa, Asia and Middle East). Over 95% of patients were either asymptomatic or presented mild symptoms, 9 died (CFR 0.38%). Fifty-two patients were hospitalised and 7 needed a medical evacuation outside the country of assignment. A minority (14.76%) of patients had at least one risk factor for severe disease; the most recorded one was high blood pressure (4.6%). Over 55% of cases occurred during the predominance of Delta Variant of Concern. All pre-existing risk factors were significantly associated with a moderate or higher severity of the disease (except pregnancy and immunosuppression).

CONCLUSIONS

We found strong epidemiological evidence of associations between comorbidities, old age, and the severity of COVID-19. Increased occupational risks of moderate to severe forms of COVID-19 do not only depend on workplace safety but also on social contacts and context.

[The Red Cross, Pan-Americanism and health in the inter-war period]

The Red Cross, an international organization originally founded in Europe, promoted in different Latin American countries the formation of national societies under the humanitarian and neutral principles in relation to the treatment of prisoners in times of armed conflicts. After the First World War and under the influence of the United States, the League of the Red Cross Societies was fostered to design and apply sanitary and social actions in times of peace. Based on that boost, different Pan-American Congresses were held in the twenties and thirties in Buenos Aires, Washington and Rio de Janeiro, which had an agenda that coincided with the principles of this international organization and, at the same time, allowed the elites and the state and private organisms of different fields to unify in pursuit of intervening in different social sectors.

[Red Cross hospital in Krapina, during the First world war from 1914 to 1918]

Red Cross Hospital in Krapina, during the First World War, was active from 1914 to 1918. Hospital led by Dr. Mirko Crkvenac, oriented humanist. The hospital is operated thanks to the help of municipalities and citizens. The hospital staff concern is for civilian and military victims of the First World War. Dr. Crkvenac, with the support of the City of Krapina and Mayor Vilibald Sluga, he succeeds to the organization and operation of the hospital to an enviable level. Across the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Croatian, Hospitals Red Cross, had a significant role in caring for the wounded, injured and sick soldiers and civilians. Red Cross Hospital in Krapina, is an example of a well-organized hospital in the toughest conditions. Such an organization was not simple in its implementation, and left the valuable lessons and experience.

Understanding the motivation and performance of community health volunteers involved in the delivery of health programmes in Kampala, Uganda: a realist evaluation

OBJECTIVES

This paper presents the results of a realist evaluation that aimed to understand how, why and under what circumstances a Red Cross (RC) capacity-building intervention influences the motivation and the performance of RC community health volunteers involved in the delivery of an immunisation programme in Kampala, Uganda.

METHOD

Given the complexity of the intervention, we adopted realist evaluation as our methodological approach and the case study as our study design. Data collection included document review, participant observation and interviews. The constant comparative method was used for the analysis. Two contrasted cases were selected within the five Kampala districts. Each case covers the management of the immunisation programme implemented at a RC branch. In each case, a programme manager and 15 RC volunteers were interviewed. The selection of the volunteers was purposive.

RESULTS

We found that a capacity-building programme including supervision supportive of autonomy, skills and knowledge enhancement, and adapted to the different subgroups of volunteers, leads to satisfaction of the three key drivers of volunteer motivation: feelings of autonomy, competence and connectedness. This contributes to higher retention, and better task performance and well-being among the volunteers. Enabling contextual conditions include the responsiveness of the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) to community needs, and recognition of the work of the volunteers, from the URCS and the community.

CONCLUSIONS

A management approach that caters for the different motivational states and changing needs of the volunteers will lead to better performance. The findings will inform not only the management of community health volunteers, but also the management of all kinds of health workers.

Navigating the profits and pitfalls of governmental partnerships: the ICRC and intergovernmental relief, 1918-23

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is today a staunch proponent of the need for humanitarian organisations to remain independent of state interests, yet it deliberately solicited intergovernmental intervention in international relief after the First World War of 1914-18. This paper examines why an organisation committed to upholding the independence and impartiality of humanitarian action might still choose to partner with governmental bodies. It also highlights the historical beginnings of a linkage between international aid and geopolitics. To secure governmental funding for refugee relief during the 1920s, the ICRC argued that the humanitarian crises of the post-war years were a threat to the political and social stability of Europe. While this has become axiomatic, the interwar history of the ICRC demonstrates that the perceived connection between relief and geopolitical stability is historically constructed, and that it must continue to be asserted persuasively to be effective.

[Russian Red Cross Society and its role in providing medical aid to wounded and sick people during the First World War]

Russian Red Cross Society during the First World War played a significant role in health care, preservation of human life and return of millions of experienced soldiers to duty. The Red Cross Society formed and sent to the front their medical institutions (military hospitals, hospitals, hospital trains, etc.), trained medical nurses, charity nurses and orderlies of the Red Cross. Famous professor-surgeons worked as the consultants of the Red Cross Society, under their leadership were organized mobile surgical units. Society has created mobile nutrition and dressing units, X-ray units, psychiatric reception and collection points. The Red Cross Society assisted the military Department in the fight against infectious diseases.

"Something must be done!": public health nursing education in the United States from 1900 to 1950

This article examines public health nursing (PHN) education in the United States from 1900 to 1950. Following establishment of district nursing and the Henry Street Settlement in the late 1800s, nurses worked with families and communities in schools, homes, and with immigrant populations in tenements of industrialized cities. By the early 1900s, PHN leaders recognized that graduates needed broader education than provided by hospital training schools to prepare nurses to address social conditions and promote health and hygiene for populations. Current themes in professional nursing, such as social determinants of health, have their roots in early discourse about PHN education.

Improving emergency medical dispatching with emphasis on mass-casualty incidents

Dispatching ambulances is a demanding and stressful task for dispatchers. This is especially true in case of mass-casualty incidents. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate if and to what extent the dispatch operation of the Red Cross Salzburg can be optimized on such occasions with a computerized system. The basic problem of a dynamic multi-vehicle Dial-a-Ride Problem with time windows was enhanced according to the requirements of the Red Cross Salzburg. The general objective was to minimize the total mileage covered by ambulances and the waiting time of patients. Furthermore, in case of emergencies suitable adaptions to a plan should be carried out automatically. Consequently, the problem is solved by using the Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search. Evaluation results indicate that the system outperforms a human dispatcher by between 2.5% and 36% within 1 minute of runtime concerning total costs. Moreover, the system's response time in case that a plan has to be updated is less than 1 minute on average.

[The activities of the Russian Society of Red Cross during the First World War]

During the First World War, the Russian Society of Red Cross used experience of previous wars expanded its activities. The medical service functioned in the conditions of cruel war. For the first time in history, the weapon of mass destruction was applied The merit of the Russian society of Red Cross was development of specialized medical care.

National mass care strategy: a national integrated approach

Mass care refers to a wide range of humanitarian activities that collectively provide life- sustaining services, such as emergency sheltering, feeding, reunification, distribution of emergency supplies and recovery information, before or in the aftermath of an emergency or disaster. Most services are coordinated and provided by non-governmental organisations and/or local government. Based on the lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters joined efforts to expand national mass care capabilities in order to support survivors in the wake of catastrophic events, as well as to enhance the integration of volunteers and non-governmental organisations into the broader national effort. These efforts resulted in the creation of the National Mass Care Council in 2010, with representatives of Federal and State agencies, voluntary organisations and the private sector working together to develop a unified approach to mass care and to ensure the provision of consistent and uniform services across the USA, regardless of the magnitude of the event.

[The activities of the Red Cross Society during the Russia Japan war 1904-1905]

The Red Cross Society actively participated in the organization of caring of ill and wounded soldiers at the Far East front during the Russia Japan war 1904-1905. The Red Cross units were not the supporting group of military sanitary institutions but independent organization providing serious assistance to medical service of Russian army through medical supply, transport and medical personnel.

Introducing embedded indigenous psychological support teams: a suggested addition to psychological first aid in an international context

The current article introduces Embedded Indigenous Psychological Support Teams (IPST) as a possible addition to current disaster relief efforts. This article highlights psychological first aid in an international context by drawing on mainstream disaster relief models such as The American Red Cross, Critical Incident Stress Management, and Flexible Psychological First Aid. IPST are explained as teams utilizing techniques from both CISM and FPFA with a focus on resiliency. It is currently theorized that in utilizing IPST existing disaster relief models may be more effective in mitigating negative physical or mental health consequences post-disaster.

[Report of International Medical Relief Activity for Haiti earthquake as a delegate of Japanese Red Cross Society]

The author joined the emergency health operation of the International Red Cross for Haiti earthquake as one of Japanese Red Cross delegates for about one month in May, 2010. Althought I was not expected to offer the skills and experiences as an anesthesiologist, but those of a general practicing, I learned many valuable things from seeing local people, especially about the characteristic diseases and symptoms after disasters caused by living in the camp which was not an ideal environment to be in so long. It is difficult to know much about such typical problems through our usual work as an anesthesiologist. If we want to join these kinds of mission, we have to have some extra knowledge for helping people after such disasters.

[About the basics of the organization of medical supplement of the troops of the White Movement]

The article contains data about the history of medical supplying of the troops of the White Movement during the Civil War in Russia (1918-1920). The description of the structures of administration of medical and sanitary service and forces and devices of sanitary service is given, the characteristics of the body and goals of the medical and sanitary-epidemiological institutions, which were formed by the military department and Russian Red Cross Society is listed.

The American Red Cross and local response to the 1918 influenza pandemic: a four-city case study

The role of the American Red Cross in the U.S. response to the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic holds important lessons for current-day pandemic response. This article, which examines local ARC responses in Boston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Richmond, Virginia, demonstrates how the ARC coordinated nursing for military and civilian cases; produced and procured medical supplies and food; transported patients, health workers, and bodies; and aided influenza victims' families. But the organization's effectiveness varied widely among localities. These findings illustrate the persistently local character of pandemic response, and demonstrate the importance of close, timely, and sustained coordination among local and state public health authorities and voluntary organizations before and during public health emergencies. They further illustrate the persistently local character of these emergencies, while underscoring the centrality and limits of voluntarism in American public health.

Design and implementation of a hospital information system for the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Lebanon

A case-mix hospital information system was designed and implemented in Palestine Red Crescent Society hospitals in order to support the network of Palestinian hospitals in Lebanon and to improve the health of refugees in the country. The system is based on routine collection of essential administrative and clinical data for each episode of hospitalization, relying on internationally accepted diagnostic codes. It is a computerized, user-friendly information system that is a stepping-stone towards better hospital management and evaluation of quality of care. It is also a useful model for the development of hospital information systems in Lebanon and in the Near East.

Canadian Red Cross

The Canadian Red Cross is guided by its Fundamental Principles--humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality--and organized in a traditional geographic hierarchical structure. Among the characteristics that have contributed to its success are a budgeting process that starts at the local level, measurement of program outcomes, and coordinated fundraising activities at the regional level.

Mobilization of a nursing community after a disaster

TOPIC

This article is a personal account of the author's experience of coordinating American Red Cross Disaster Health Services in her home community (Fort Worth, TX) following Hurricane Katrina. Although the community was 550 miles away from the impacted area, thousands of evacuees arrived in this community in need of immediate attention.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to share significant lessons that were learned from the experience to help other communities prepare for future disasters. SOURCE FOR INFORMATION: The article is derived from the author's experience and observation.

CONCLUSIONS

In the midst of a disaster, nurses have a unique opportunity to make a professional contribution to recovery efforts. Learning from previous experiences can strengthen the effectiveness of our response.

Vulnerable populations in an American Red Cross shelter after Hurricane Katrina

TOPIC

During Katrina, people suddenly encountered multiple losses, including homes, finances, medications, and death of loved ones. The Model of Vulnerable Populations illustrates how reduced resources placed individuals at greater risk for harm.

PURPOSE

Using vignettes and the Model of Vulnerable Populations, a psychiatric nurse discusses her experiences as an American Red Cross psychiatric/mental health nurse volunteer after the Katrina disaster at a Mississippi shelter.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of the mental health nurse volunteer was demonstrated by assessment and interventions of advocacy, referral, crisis intervention, and general support and education.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Using the Model of Vulnerable Populations, psychiatric nurses can improve mental health assessment and services by counseling, advocacy, triage, and teaching disease prevention strategies such as hand washing.

Vaccination contre la grippe: résultats d'une enquête sur la couverture vaccinale du personnel hospitalier à l'hôpital de la Croix-Rousse (hôpitaux de Lyon)

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccinal status among Croix-Rousse Hospital workers, attitude towards this vaccination, and the information delivered in order to promote this vaccination.

METHODS

Questionnaires were delivered by electronic mailing.

RESULTS

Six hundred (and) twenty-nine questionnaires were analyzed (26.7% of hospital workers); 30.7% of responders were vaccinated against influenza, 89.2% of responders were aware of influenza and vaccine. Vaccine coverage was lower in younger workers, non health-care workers, non physician health-care workers, and surgeons who responded. Motivation and reserve varied according to the status, position, and age, with some discrepancies.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest implementing a better targeted vaccination campaign, according to the various categories of personnel.

Demand and supply of emergency help: an economic analysis of Red Cross services

This paper analyzes supply and demand side characteristics of (voluntary) Red Cross services in Austria. The demand side analysis is based on a contingent valuation study on people's willingness to pay for emergency treatment, transportation services and disaster relief activities. The supply side is identified by a high percentage of volunteers in the Red Cross organization which makes the provision of emergency help at low cost possible. We find that aggregate benefits of Red Cross services exceed their cost of production. Policy conclusions are drawn with respect to future recruitment and funding: whereas intrinsic motivation is important for the decision to volunteer, and financial incentives play a minor role in general, the young Red Cross activists work voluntarily for self-realization reasons and to continue their education. Age-specific recruitment strategies accompanied by word-of-mouth advertising are recommended to address potential volunteers. As long as the volunteering character of Red Cross services will be maintained and cost of production will not go up an increase of funds does not seem necessary in the future. Moreover, a radical change in the structure of funding may crowd out both donations and voluntary labor supply.

Strengthening the service continuum between transfusion providers and suppliers: enhancing the blood services network

As the cost of health care increases, the focus on cost containment grows. The pressure to reduce costs comes at the same time the public focus is on ensuring a zero-risk blood supply. The blood supply has never been safer or more expensive. With the relative vanquishing of transfusion-transmitted diseases, noninfectious risks now exceed infectious risks. This has resulted in a call to refocus blood safety efforts on interconnected processes that link a unit of blood from its volunteer blood donor to the patient. Additional costs in the blood supply chain will create new pressures on an already taxed system that gets little additional reimbursement with each new safety initiative. Opposing interests have created a tenuous relationship between the blood supplier and the transfusion provider. This adversarial relationship does not benefit the ultimate stakeholder, the patient. It is time to create a service partnership that is built on access, cost, and quality. Initiatives must be undertaken at a local, regional, and national level. Locally, blood suppliers and transfusion providers must reevaluate policies that are focused on individual gain and reinvent policies that will reward improvements in the overall system and expand cooperative services. Regionally, both blood suppliers and transfusion providers need to consolidate services to gain cost and quality benefits without compromising the competitive nature of the industry. Nationally, the creation of a strategic plan will help ensure that a mutually beneficial relationship focused on the patient is created between the blood supplier and transfusion provider at all levels. Development of such a plan would benefit the transfusing and supplying parties by identifying areas of common interest and how each may facilitate the achievement of shared benefits.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn: her activities in humanity and medicine

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross Society has followed the footsteps of her fore-bears, carrying the noble humanitarian work they began, particularly the work of the Thai Red Cross society and the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. Her contributions have been a benefit to all, and she has earned great love and is held in high esteem by her people. Her ideas, thoughts, words, and activities have been of immense value to the faculty in both tangible and intangible ways. A selfless, dedicated women who is willing to make sacrifices for the common good, Her Royal Highness serves as a model humanitarian for the staff of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, whose morale she has boosted and whose operations she has planned with the foresight ofa first-class administrator. Her devotion to the Thai Red Cross, and thus her devotion to her people, have indeed made her the royal gem within Thai hearts, with sparkling brilliance of her humanitarian deeds instilling the warmth of her love in our spirits.

South African Red Cross Flying Doctors Service quality and safety in the rural and remote South African environment

CONTEXT

The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service and its Flying Doctors Service provides health care to far flung and disadvantaged communities in South Africa.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance and effectiveness of the service in providing health care to a range of people who have poor or no access to certain health services in South Africa.

METHODS

Data and information was collected from records and statistical data of our service. Data was evaluated and compiled into a report highlighting the achievements of this organisation from its infancy to the present day.

FINDINGS

The Flying Doctor and Health Outreach Programme has made a difference in improving health care by providing specialist services, transport of patients and training of medical personnel in outlying areas of South Africa that have poor access to health care. Emergency Air Ambulance and Rescue Services have proven to be supportive in providing rapid advanced life support and rescue services to patients in emergency situations. Many lives have been saved through this service.

CONCLUSION

The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service plays a crucial role in delivering specialised health care to disadvantaged communities in South Africa.

Rewriting of the biography of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Red Cross

This paper presents quite a different version of the origins of the Red Cross from that officially recognised. On the basis of historical documents and statements of authors who are critical and attentive to the detail of the circumstances and events which gave rise to the Red Cross, it is possible to discern a surprising historical truth.