Investigating Lushan Earthquake Victims' Individual Behavior Response and Rescue Organization

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 14; no. 12; p. 1556
• Main Authors: Kang, Peng, Lv, Yipeng, Deng, Qiangyu, Liu, Yuan, Zhang, Yi, Liu, Xu, Zhang, Lulu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 11.12.2017; MDPI
• Subjects: Behavior; Communication; Consent; Data collection; Disasters; Earthquakes; Emergency medical services; Health services; Information systems; Injuries; Injury prevention; International conferences; Mental disorders; Mental health; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychiatry; Questionnaires; Researchers; Rural areas; Seismic activity; Studies; Trauma; individual behavior; earthquake victims; injury; rescue efforts
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121556

Research concerning the impact of earthquake victims' individual behavior and its association with earthquake-related injuries is lacking. This study examined this relationship along with effectiveness of earthquake rescue measures. The six most severely destroyed townships during the Lushan earthquake were examined; 28 villages and three earthquake victims' settlement camp areas were selected as research areas. Inclusion criteria comprised living in Lushan county for a longtime, living in Lushan county during the 2013 Lushan earthquake, and having one's home destroyed. Earthquake victims with an intellectual disability or communication problems were excluded. The earthquake victims (N (number) = 5165, male = 2396) completed a questionnaire (response rate: 94.7%). Among them, 209 were injured (5.61%). Teachers (p < 0.0001, OR (odds ratios) = 3.33) and medical staff (p = 0.001, OR = 4.35) were more vulnerable to the earthquake than were farmers. Individual behavior was directly related to injuries, such as the first reaction after earthquake and fear. There is an obvious connection between earthquake-related injury and individual behavior characteristics. It is strongly suggested that victims receive mental health support from medical practitioners and the government to minimize negative effects. The initial reaction after an earthquake also played a vital role in victims' trauma; therefore, earthquake-related experience and education may prevent injuries. Self-aid and mutual help played key roles in emergency, medical rescue efforts.