Inclusion criteria
The inclusion criteria were as follows:
1) Disaster criterion
Studies in the context of man-made (e.g. explosions,
aircraft disasters) or natural disasters (e.g. hurricanes,
earthquakes) were included. In this study, a disaster is
defined as a collective stressful experience with a sudden
onset which causes disruption of a community.
Studies about individual traumas, war, and drought
conditions such as malnutrition did not comply with
this definition.
2) Outcome criterion
Studies in which health status and/or health needs of
disaster victims are the measured topics (table 2) were
included. Health status includes the actual immediate
health problems and pre-existing health problems.
This provides information to assess the immediate
health needs of the affected groups. The focus of
needs is on medical, housing and logistical issues. We
included articles in which the health status and/or
needs were actually measured. We excluded the studies
if the assessed topics were not described.
3) Specific health status criterion
Studies that were included report the physical health
status like injuries and disaster-related diseases. Studies
focusing exclusively on mortality or mental health
disorders (in particular PTSD) of disaster victims
were excluded. Mental health disorders are excluded,
because they cannot be established within two weeks,
our definition of a rapid assessment, after the disaster
[11].
4) Population criterion
Adultsand children who were directly exposed to a
man-made or natural disaster were included. Relief
workers were included; except if relief workers themselves
were not directly exposed to the disaster.
5) Rapid criterion
Studies in which the assessment started in the first
two weeks after a disaster were included. Our definition