Sequential ambiguity and uncertainty in the early stage of a disaster relief: A case study of the Bam earthquake.

This study aimed to identify issues that arose during the early response stage of the Bam earthquake as perceived by the aid workers. Eleven people who had been involved in the Bam earthquake response, and who were working for the Red Crescent in Iran or the Kerman University of Medical Science teams, were interviewed. These groups were two of the main organizations providing assistance to victims of the Bam earthquake. The authors used two nonrandom sampling methods, namely, purposive and snowball sampling. The interviewees identified two main barriers for achieving an effective response at the early stage aftermath of the earthquake, as follows: first, the lack of accurate information on the location and extent of the earthquake due to shortage in communication tools and, second, inadequate training on different challenges posed in relation to the disaster, before the earthquake occurred.

Pathways to Addiction: A Gender-Based Study on Drug Use in a Triangular Clinic and Drop-in Center, Kerman, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Addiction is characterized differently among women and men, and they begin using drugs for different reasons and motives. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the gendered experiences and patterns of illicit drug use initiation in an Iranian context. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 29 participants (15 men and 14 women) took part in in-depth interviews conducted at a HIV triangulation clinic (for men and women) and drop-in-center for women in Kerman in 2011. RESULTS: The results of the study suggest that patterns of drug use are different among Iranian men and women. Men often transit to drug use from cigarette smoking, whereas women's drug use practices often begins with opium. Unlike women, men who used drugs were often single at their drug use debut. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of first exposure to drug use among men and women highlight the role of gendered expectations and socio-cultural norms in shaping drug use experiences of people who use drugs and call for gender-specific harm reduction interventions.