Survey of concerns over epidemic prevention in Yingxin residents before and after the devastating earthquake / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the concerns over disease prevention in local residents of Yingxiu Town of Wenchuan County before and 15, 30 days after the earthquake, so as to provide scientific evidences for epidemic prevention in the public. Methods: Self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on the disease prevention among the local earthquake-refugees. Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of difference. Results: A total of 121 effective questionnaires were collected. We found that the number of the residents who received health education was significantly increased after earthquake (P=0.000). The choice of drinking water was spring water and tap water before the earthquake, and the bottled water and spring water were the top choice after earthquake. Significantly more people considered the flies in the feces pool should be controlled after earthquake (P=0.001); the numbers of residents considered that rubbish should be buried or burned and hands should be washed after defecation were also significantly increased. The consciousness of epidemic diseases (reminding others and reporting to the authorities) was significantly intensified among people (P = 0.001). Most residents chose insecticides for the control of mosquitoes and flies. After the earthquake, the residents were more concerned over their health, and they had an intensified expectation for medical aids from the troops and were more willing to take drugs. Conclusion: Health education intensifies the concerns over epidemic prevention in the residents of Yingxiu Town after earthquake. However, they tend to depend too much on medication and disinfection services.