Poor Environmental Conditions Created the Acute Health Deteriorations in Evacuation Shelters after the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

Abstract

When disasters occur, affected people in evacuation shelters may experience health problems, such as exacerbation of chronic diseases or development of new diseases. This study examined the factors contributing to sudden illness in evacuation shelters used for the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. The subjects were evacuees of the Kumamoto Earthquake who were transported to hospitals from evacuation shelters by ambulance. Data on patients transported from evacuation shelters were obtained from emergency transport records at the Kumamoto City Fire Department and from medical institutions. The assessment of the living conditions in the shelter was obtained from the Emergency Medical Information System. A total of 576 patients were transported by ambulance from evacuation shelters in Kumamoto City. Of these, 300 patients for whom detailed information was obtained from medical institutions were included in the analysis. The median age was 71 years, and 213 patients (71%) were over 60 years old. There were 235 patients (78%) with pre-existing medical conditions. The most common reasons for emergency transport were falls and dyspnea, followed by fever, disturbance of consciousness, and abdominal pain. The most common final diagnosis at the medical institutions was trauma due to falls, followed by cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, and cerebral neurological disease. A survey of living conditions in the shelters identified problems with scarcity of space and provision of medical care and food. In order to prevent adverse health outcomes in evacuation shelters, the provision of appropriate living conditions and medical care is important from the acute phase of a disaster.