[Health Situation in Ukraine Before Onset of War and Its Relevance for Health Care for Ukrainian Refugees in Germany: Literature Review, Risk Analysis, and Priority Setting]. / Gesundheitliche Lage in der Ukraine vor Kriegsbeginn und ihre Relevanz für die Versorgung ukrainischer Geflüchteter in Deutschland: Literaturdurchsicht, Risikoanalyse und Prioritätensetzung.

BACKGROUND: Health needs of refugees are not only determined by exposure to war and fleeing. Determinants during the life course also play a role. We therefore examined the health situation in Ukraine before Russia's invasion in 2022 and its relevance for health care for Ukrainian refugees in Germany from the perspective of the Public Health Service. METHOD: Rapid search in the Medline data base, and in relevant Ukrainian and international health data bases; narrative synthesis of findings, followed by a prioritization of health problems and interventions by two medical doctors, using the risk matrix approach. RESULTS: Immunization coverage is low for Covid-19, resulting in outbreaks in refugee shelters. There are vaccination gaps for measles and other basic immunizations, particularly in older children; children aged 2-5 years have not received the second measles dose. HIV and TB therapies may be interrupted due to the need to flee. Among elderly refugees, insufficiently treated cardiovascular diseases and pre-existing psychological trauma as well as cancers in need of acute care predominate. Ukrainian refugees may mistrust state-associated health measures, as the vaccination gaps indicate. CONCLUSION: Refugees should be able to access curative and preventive health care without bureaucratic obstacles and entitlement restrictions. Analyzing Ukrainian health statistics and respective scientific publications helps the Public Health Service to adapt its interventions, and to avoid inefficient allocation of resources.

[West Africa Ebola outbreak - immediate and hands-on formation: the pre-deployment training program for frontline aid workers of the German Red Cross, other aid organizations, and the German Armed Forces, Wuerzburg, Germany 2014/15]. / Ebolafieberepidemie in Westafrika ­ schnelle und praxisnahe Ausbildung: Das Vorbereitungstraining für Einsatzkräfte des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes, anderer Hilfsorganisationen und der Bundeswehr, Würzburg, 2014 und 2015.

BACKGROUND: In September 2014, the German government mandated the German Red Cross (GRC) and the German Armed Forces to support the international efforts to stop the epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West-Africa. The GRC requested specific training from the Medical Mission Institute Wuerzburg (MI). OBJECTIVES: We describe and discuss the development, strategy, results, and evaluation of the program to formulate conclusions and recommendations for similar emergencies. METHODS: On 26 September 2014, it was agreed to establish a two-day training program to prepare Ebola aid workers for the treatment of EVD patients and infection protection in Ebola treatment centers (ETC) in the epidemic area. Course evaluation was based on protocoled discussions with participants and standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: The training started on 6 October 2014. By 24 February 2015, 214 trainees participated in 14 courses. Of 96 GRC staff deployed to West Africa, 90 (94%) participated in the training. Course content included containment strategy in filovirus outbreaks and practical exercises for standardized procedures in personal protective equipment (PPE). The average trainer-trainee ratio in PPE exercises was 1:3. "Excellent" or "good" ratings were received on 93% of the evaluations. CONCLUSION: Rapid implementation was possible by teaching a harmonized, and field-approved concept for infection protection and treatment. Realistic simulated scenarios and field-experienced trainers allowed transfer of knowledge as well as reassurance. Additional recommendations are further conversion of the training into a permanent program and, in the case of a crisis, interlocking of training with operational planning to allow rapid escalation and adaptation. Also, the concepts for training and interventions should be harmonized and developed further for additional challenges like airborne transmission and application of intensive-care medicine.