Frequency of infectious diseases among flood affected people at district Rajanpur, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To identify the frequency of infectious diseases among flood victims during and after disaster at district Rajanpur, Punjab, Pakistan. A cross sectional study was conducted from 15[th] to 31[st] August 2010 at 17 flood affected places of District Rajanpur of Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total of 7814 affected people were interviewed consecutively by using semi-structured questionnaire visiting the relief camps during the study period. Information was obtained after taking informed consent regarding infectious diseases Acute Respiratory Tract Infection, Eye Infection, Gastrointestinal Tract Infection, Ear Infection, Skin and Soft tissue Infection, and suspected Malaria. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. The results showed that the distribution of infectious disease cases presented to relief camps were Gastrointestinal cases [Acute Diarrhea]-30%, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection [33%], Eye [Conjunctivitis]-07%, Ear, Nose and Throat Infection [05%], Respiratory Tract Infection [21%], and Suspected Malaria [4%]. Their mean age was 23.15 +/- 17.53 years. Our study concluded that there was a high frequency of infectious diseases. The morbidity and mortality resulting from infectious diseases can be minimized if public health intervention efforts are implemented in a timely and coordinated fashion