Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach

Abstract Background A petroleum leak into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system on Oahu, Hawaii in November 2021 contaminated the drinking water of approximately 93,000 users, causing many to relocate for months. Perceptions of health and wellbeing were captured using the Centers for Disea...

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Main Authors: Vidisha Parasram, Amanda R. Smith, Michele L. F. Bolduc, Jamie Rayman, Alex Poniatowski, Nicole Mintz, Madeline Jarvis, Alyssa N. Troeschel, Shanna Miko, Krishna Surasi, Charles Edge, Benjamin Gerhardstein, Diana Felton, Maureen F. Orr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20394-z
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author Vidisha Parasram
Amanda R. Smith
Michele L. F. Bolduc
Jamie Rayman
Alex Poniatowski
Nicole Mintz
Madeline Jarvis
Alyssa N. Troeschel
Shanna Miko
Krishna Surasi
Charles Edge
Benjamin Gerhardstein
Diana Felton
Maureen F. Orr
author_facet Vidisha Parasram
Amanda R. Smith
Michele L. F. Bolduc
Jamie Rayman
Alex Poniatowski
Nicole Mintz
Madeline Jarvis
Alyssa N. Troeschel
Shanna Miko
Krishna Surasi
Charles Edge
Benjamin Gerhardstein
Diana Felton
Maureen F. Orr
author_sort Vidisha Parasram
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background A petroleum leak into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system on Oahu, Hawaii in November 2021 contaminated the drinking water of approximately 93,000 users, causing many to relocate for months. Perceptions of health and wellbeing were captured using the Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) cross-sectional survey in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH). Methods Responses from the ACE online survey of community members, businesses, schools, health care and veterinary care organizations during the contamination event, containing quantitative questions and qualitative information from an open text field, were analyzed. Separately, a qualitative key informant questionnaire was administered to community establishments. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze and identify prominent themes from the ACE open text field and the key informant responses that were triangulated by the quantitative data when the themes aligned. Results Six major themes of disruption, communication, trust, stress, support, and ongoing needs were identified. Burdensome logistics from obtaining alternate water, negative financial impacts from relocation or losing business, distrust of information, perceived lack of support from response entities and uncertainty of long-term health impact caused significant disruption, stress and mental health. Individuals reported needing water, shelter, and mental health care while establishments wanted financial reimbursement and a resolution. Conclusions The findings show that environmental disasters have significant disruptive and mental health impacts from stress. Identified themes can inform and improve emergency response and communication strategies and increase trust with community members during and after large chemical exposure events.
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spelling doaj-art-071e79f3021e47c385cf106b4778c2e32024-11-17T12:52:00ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-11-0124111410.1186/s12889-024-20394-zUnderstanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approachVidisha Parasram0Amanda R. Smith1Michele L. F. Bolduc2Jamie Rayman3Alex Poniatowski4Nicole Mintz5Madeline Jarvis6Alyssa N. Troeschel7Shanna Miko8Krishna Surasi9Charles Edge10Benjamin Gerhardstein11Diana Felton12Maureen F. Orr13U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence ServiceU.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence ServiceU.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence ServiceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryHealth Resources and Services AdministrationCouncil of State and Territorial EpidemiologistsCouncil of State and Territorial EpidemiologistsU.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence ServiceU.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence ServiceU.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence ServiceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryCenters for Disease Control and Prevention/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryHawaii State Department of HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryAbstract Background A petroleum leak into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system on Oahu, Hawaii in November 2021 contaminated the drinking water of approximately 93,000 users, causing many to relocate for months. Perceptions of health and wellbeing were captured using the Centers for Disease Control/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE) cross-sectional survey in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH). Methods Responses from the ACE online survey of community members, businesses, schools, health care and veterinary care organizations during the contamination event, containing quantitative questions and qualitative information from an open text field, were analyzed. Separately, a qualitative key informant questionnaire was administered to community establishments. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze and identify prominent themes from the ACE open text field and the key informant responses that were triangulated by the quantitative data when the themes aligned. Results Six major themes of disruption, communication, trust, stress, support, and ongoing needs were identified. Burdensome logistics from obtaining alternate water, negative financial impacts from relocation or losing business, distrust of information, perceived lack of support from response entities and uncertainty of long-term health impact caused significant disruption, stress and mental health. Individuals reported needing water, shelter, and mental health care while establishments wanted financial reimbursement and a resolution. Conclusions The findings show that environmental disasters have significant disruptive and mental health impacts from stress. Identified themes can inform and improve emergency response and communication strategies and increase trust with community members during and after large chemical exposure events.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20394-zDrinking waterContaminationCommunityHealthResilienceStress
spellingShingle Vidisha Parasram
Amanda R. Smith
Michele L. F. Bolduc
Jamie Rayman
Alex Poniatowski
Nicole Mintz
Madeline Jarvis
Alyssa N. Troeschel
Shanna Miko
Krishna Surasi
Charles Edge
Benjamin Gerhardstein
Diana Felton
Maureen F. Orr
Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach
BMC Public Health
Drinking water
Contamination
Community
Health
Resilience
Stress
title Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach
title_full Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach
title_fullStr Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach
title_full_unstemmed Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach
title_short Understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on Oahu, Hawaii, 2021–2022: a mixed mode approach
title_sort understanding community resilience during the drinking water contamination event on oahu hawaii 2021 2022 a mixed mode approach
topic Drinking water
Contamination
Community
Health
Resilience
Stress
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20394-z
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