Mortality following the Haitian earthquake of 2010: a stratified cluster survey

Population Health Metrics

Thomas Kirsch²  Megan Cherewick¹  Shannon Doocy¹ 

[1] Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Ste E8132, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA;Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

关键词: Natural disaster;    Mortality;    Earthquake;    Haiti;   

Others  :  805570
DOI  :  10.1186/1478-7954-11-5

 received in 2012-10-01, accepted in 2013-04-15,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Introduction

Research that seeks to better understand vulnerability to earthquakes and risk factors associated with mortality in low resource settings is critical to earthquake preparedness and response efforts. This study aims to characterize mortality and associated risk factors in the 2010 Haitian earthquake.

Methods

In January 2011, a survey of the earthquake affected Haitian population was conducted in metropolitan Port-au-Prince. A stratified 60x20 cluster design (n = 1200 households) was used with 30 clusters sampled in both camp and neighborhood locations. Households were surveyed regarding earthquake impact, current living conditions, and unmet needs.

Results

Mortality was estimated at 24 deaths (confidence interval [CI]: 20–28) per 1,000 in the sample population. Using two approaches, extrapolation of the survey mortality rate to the exposed population yielded mortality estimates ranging from a low of 49,033 to a high of 86,555. No significant difference in mortality was observed by sex (p = .786); however, age was significant with adults age 50+ years facing increased mortality risk. Odds of death were not significantly higher in camps, with 27 deaths per 1,000 (CI: 22–34), compared to neighborhoods, where the death rate was 19 per 1,000 (CI: 15–25; p = 0.080). Crowding and residence in a multistory building were also associated with increased risk of death.

Conclusions

Haiti earthquake mortality estimates are widely varied, though epidemiologic surveys conducted to date suggest lower levels of mortality than officially reported figures. Strategies to mitigate future mortality burden in future earthquakes should consider improvements to the built environment that are feasible in urban resource-poor settings.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Doocy et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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