National Institute of Disaster Management

ABSTRACT Background: In many developing countries, women’s mental health is severely compromised due to the prevalence of various social evils, including domestic violence. India exemplifies this troubling trend, which has garnered attention from researchers and international organizations. Materials and Methods: This study conducted a thorough literature review across various electronic databases. A range of keywords related to social work interventions and the mental health of victims of domestic violence were used to encompass diverse studies and viewpoints. Results and Discussion: Results of this review emphasize that domestic violence manifests in numerous ways, including physical, psychological, sexual, intellectual and emotional abuse, involving systematic abuse of authority as well as insidious behavior, significantly impacting women’s physical and mental health. Common mental health issues identified among victims include anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress-related disorders. Factors contributing to domestic violence are multifaceted, including perpetrator traits, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural acceptance of violence as conflict resolution. Some of these factors include anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, unhealthy lifestyles, acute stress and PTSD, psychotic disorder, and substance abuse. The findings of the study reveal that crisis intervention, counseling, and psychotherapy are some of the major interventions by social workers. Conclusion: While numerous organizations are actively working to address domestic violence and its effects on women’s mental health, there is a pressing need for early psychosocial interventions at individual, familial, and societal levels, especially in women exhibiting psychological distress or unexplained medical symptoms.

Mountain hazards pose significant threats to communities in ethnic minority regions, where risk perception and preparedness are often influenced by cultural and socio-economic factors. This study examines these aspects in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, China—an area frequently affected by mountain disasters. Using a questionnaire survey (n = 206) and in-depth interviews, the research investigates local residents’ risk perception and preparedness. Stepwise regression analysis reveals that the Yi ethnic group exhibits a relatively lower level of risk perception compared to the Han group, and females show lower risk perception than males. Individuals with higher risk aversion demonstrate stronger self-prevention awareness and personal protective measures, yet are less inclined to participate in mutual support groups. Notably, willingness to form emergency self-governing groups is positively correlated with higher risk perception, underscoring the role of community in shaping preparedness. Two main recommendations emerge: (1) enhance risk perception and preparedness through tailored hazard mitigation education and specialized planning for vulnerable groups; and (2) adopt community-based approaches that leverage local knowledge and active participation to strengthen preparedness through community groups. The findings offer insights applicable to other ethnic minority regions in China.

Introduction: Nepal is highly susceptible to natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides, which have been exacerbated by climate change. General Practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact in affected communities, playing a crucial role in managing the health consequences of such calamities. This study explores the role of GPs in disaster management in Nepal, with a particular focus on preparedness, response, and recovery phases. Methods: A review of current literature, policy documents, and field data was conducted to assess GPs’ roles, knowledge of disaster medicine, and the skills required for effective disaster response. Additionally, a gap analysis was performed to evaluate current skills and the specific needs of GPs in disaster situations. The study was undertaken in partnership with Saving Lives International – a UK charity. Results: The findings highlight that Nepal GPs have been trained in triaging injuries, providing essential primary care, and delivering essential mental health support in post-disaster settings. However, gaps were identified in areas such as quality and outcomes assessments, disaster medicine preparedness training, emergency response coordination, field medicine, pre-hospital trauma care, and impact on mental health. It underscores the importance of integrating GPs into disaster management frameworks in Nepal, emphasizing the collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community leaders. Training in disaster medicine and response protocols, as well as fostering community resilience, were identified as key areas of improvement. Conclusion: Enhancing GPs’ involvement in disaster management through structured training programs and resource allocation can improve healthcare outcomes in vulnerable communities, particularly during the recovery phase. Leveraging the local knowledge and established relationships, GPs can enhance the overall efficacy of disaster response efforts. The study calls for strategic investment in GP disaster preparedness to build a more resilient healthcare system capable of responding to the escalating threat of natural disasters in Nepal.

Drought is an enduring hydro-climatic challenge in Pakistan's Hindukush region, where fragile agro-ecological systems are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in precipitation and evapotranspiration. The lack of a universally applicable indicator and the regional variety of drought consequences necessitate assessing multiple indices to identify the most suitable index for the particular environmental dynamics of the area. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of four drought indices: the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Agricultural Standardized Precipitation Index (aSPI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), and Effective Reconnaissance Drought Index (eRDI) to identify the most effective index or indices for drought assessment in the region. Using the long-term precipitation and temperature (minimum and maximum) record (1982–2022) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration'sModern-EraRetrospectiveAnalysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (NASA's MERRA-2) dataset, selected indices were calculated across multiple temporal scales (3, 6, 9, and 12 months). Statistical techniques, including Pearson correlation coefficient and Two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), were employed to analyze inter-index consistency and temporal performance. The correlation coefficients between indices were notably high (r = 0.83–0.97, p < 0.01), indicating strong agreement, particularly between SPI and aSPI, and between RDI and eRDI. Two-way ANOVA results revealed statistically significant differences across indices and timescales (F = 16.42, p < 0.001), confirming that both index type and temporal resolution influence drought characterization. The study highlights key drought years, including the prolonged 1998–2002 event and shorter events in 2015, 2018, and 2019. Notably, aSPI demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to agricultural drought due to its emphasis on effective precipitation, while eRDI effectively captured climate-induced drought variability. The findings recommend a combined application of aSPI and eRDI for robust drought monitoring in this climate and ecologically sensitive region.

This study aims to develop sugarcane bagasse-derived granular activated carbon (SCB-GAC) as a biobased adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) adsorption in an aqueous solution using a binderless hot-pressed (HP) technique. HP conditions, i.e., mechanical pressure, temperature, and holding time, were systematically fine-tuned to first produce HP-SCB pellets. HP pellets were further carbonized at 500 °C for 1 h to obtain biochar pellets, which were cut into granules prior to activation with steam under the optimum conditions of 850 °C for 30 min. The mechanical pressure showed the most significant influence on the yield and textural properties of the as-developed HP-SCB-GAC. The optimal HP condition of 20 MPa at 270 °C for 30 min resulted in a substantial yield (53.7%) of the developed HP-SCB-GAC with uniform surface texture possessing the highest strength and specific surface area (804.6 m2/g). The MB adsorption using the selected HP-SCB-GAC showed minimal sensitivity to pH adjustments. The maximum MB adsorption capacity at approximately 138 mg/g could be achieved and fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir equilibrium isotherm behaviors. The selected HP-SCB-GAC could reach as high as 87-92% of MB adsorption efficiency for at least five consecutive cycles using ethanol as the regenerant.