Citation

Charney RL, Rebmann T, Esposito F, Schmid K, Chung S. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-8.

Affiliation

Division of Emergency Medicine,Boston Children's Hospital,Boston,Massachusetts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2019.32

PMID

31213213

Abstract

Background:After disasters, unaccompanied children may present to an emergency department requiring reunification. An effective reunification system depends on the willingness of guardians to utilize it.

OBJECTIVE: Assess guardian willingness to share children's personal information for reunification purposes after a disaster, perceived concerns and beliefs, and trust in reunification agencies.

METHODS: Guardians of children presenting to 2 pediatric emergency departments were approached to participate in a survey-based study. Willingness to share their children's personal information was scored on a scale of 1 to 19 (1 point per item). Perceived concerns about and importance of sharing information, level of trust in reunification agencies, and guardian demographics were collected. Chi-square was used to compare trust and attitudes/beliefs. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine factors associated with willingness to share information.

RESULTS: A total of 363 surveys were completed (response rate, 80%). Most guardians (95.6%) were willing to share at least some information (mean, 16 items; range, 1-19). Half were concerned about protection (55.4%) or abuse (52.3%) of their child's information. Hospitals were trusted more than other reunification agencies (P <.001). Perception of reunification importance was associated with willingness to share (P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Guardians are willing to share their children's information to facilitate reunification after disasters, but have privacy concerns.

Language: en

Keywords

disaster management; hospital planning; reunification; unaccompanied minors