Citation

Chan EY, Kim J. Eur. J. Emerg. Med. 2011; 18(2): 111-114.

Affiliation

Chinese University of Hong Kong, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32833dba19

PMID

20679898

Abstract

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 chi 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.

Language: en