Chronic health needs immediately after natural disasters in middle-income countries: the case of the 2008 Sichuan, China earthquake.

Journal article

Few studies have focused on chronic health needs immediately after natural disasters in middle-income countries. This study examines chronic medical needs during the acute phase after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in an emergency triage clinic in Sichuan, China. Information on physical, social, and public health preparedness was collected in predesigned templates. Descriptive and Pearson's χ association analyses were conducted. One hundred and eighty-two evacuees were received at the triage site. Of these, 54% required trauma treatment and 77% of evacuated patients who required care had underlying chronic medical conditions. Tetanus immunizations and the possession of chronic health medication were low, particularly among older patients. Chronic health needs constituted a significant proportion of emergency care during the acute phase in the study population. Effective post-disaster assistance requires attention to demographic and epidemiological population profiles.

Authors: Chan, E; Kim, J

• Journal: European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 111-114
• Publication date: 2011-04-01
• DOI: 10.1097/mej.0b013e32833dba19
• EISSN: 1473-5695
• ISSN: 0969-9546
• Language: English
• Keywords: Survival Rate; Triage; Young Adult; Humans; China; Disaster Planning; Female; Age Factors; Middle Aged; Child; Male; Socioeconomic Factors; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disasters; Chronic Disease; Adult; Disaster Medicine; Infant; Emergency Service, Hospital; Earthquakes; Risk Assessment; Child, Preschool; Sex Factors; Adolescent; Aged; Needs Assessment