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International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Original Research

Health among disaster survivors and health professionals after the Haiyan Typhoon: a self-selected Internet-based web survey

Authors: Karin Hugelius, Mervyn Gifford, Per Örtenwall, Annsofie Adolfsson

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Natural disasters affected millions of people worldwide every year. Evaluation of disaster health and health response interventions is faced with several methodological challenges. This study aimed (1) to describe survivors’ and health professionals’ health, 30 months after a natural disaster using a web-based self-selected Internet sample survey designed and (2) to evaluate the health effects of disaster response interventions, in the present study with a focus on disaster radio.

Methods

A web-based survey was used to conduct a cross-sectional study approximately 30 months after typhoon Haiyan. The GHQ-12, EQ-5D-3L, and EQ-VAS instruments were used in addition to study-specific questions. A self-selected Internet sample was recruited via Facebook.

Results

In total, 443 survivors, from what 73 were health professionals, participated in the study. The Haiyan typhoon caused both physical and mental health problems as well as social consequences for the survivors. Mental health problems were more frequently reported than physical injuries. Health professionals reported worse overall health and a higher frequency of mental health problems compared to other survivors.

Conclusions

There were short-term and long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences for the survivors as a result of the Haiyan typhoon. Mental health problems were more frequently reported and lasted longer than physical problems. Health professionals deployed during the disaster reported worse health, especially concerning mental health problems. The survey used was found useful to describe health after disasters.
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Metadata
Title
Health among disaster survivors and health professionals after the Haiyan Typhoon: a self-selected Internet-based web survey
Authors
Karin Hugelius
Mervyn Gifford
Per Örtenwall
Annsofie Adolfsson
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-017-0139-6

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