Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102708

Tesfaye Bayleyegn, MD¹, Amy Wolkin, MSPH², Kathleen Oberst, RN, MS³, Stacy L. Young, MS, MPH², Carlos A. Sanchez, MD, MPH⁴, Dahna Batts, MD⁴, Joann M. Schulte, DO, MPH⁵, Carol H. Rubin, DVM, MPH⁶, and Annette Phelps⁷. (1) NCEH, HSB, Disaster Epidemiology and Assessment Team, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy MS. F-46, Chamblee, GA 30341, (770) 488 3476, bvy7@cdc.gov, (2) NCEH, HSB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy MS. F-46, Chamblee, GA 30341, (3) Institute for Health Care Studies, Michigan State University, D132 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, (4) Disasters Epidemiology and Assessment Team, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS F-46, Chamblee, GA 30341, (5) Florida DOH, CDC Career Field Officer, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Talllahassee, FL 32399, (6) Health study Branch, National Center for Environmental health, 4770 Buford Hwy MS. F-46, Chamblee, GA 30341, (7) Division Director for Family Health services, Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin A13, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1723

Background: Hurricane Ivan devastated the Florida panhandle on September, 2004, causing extensive property damage and 24 deaths. CDC assisted state health officials in conducting a rapid assessment in the two most affected counties, Escambia and Santa Rosa. The objectives of the assessment were to determine the health impact and to identify needs of the affected population. This information was needed to guide emergency response activities.

Methods: The survey instrument, administered six days after the event, elicited information on extent of damage to house, illness/injury and access to utilities and medical services. We used a modified population-proportional cluster sampling method to select 30 clusters in each county. Seven households were interviewed in each cluster. Weighted cluster analysis was conducted.

Results: Three-quarters of houses in each county were damaged. A portion of damaged homes in Santa Rosa (8%) and Escambia (5%) were uninhabitable. Households in Santa Rosa and Escambia lacked basic utilities, including regular garbage pickup (41% and 27%, respectively), telephone service (13% and 16%), and electricity (34% and. 27%). Fifty-five percent of households in Santa Rosa and 27% in Escambia reported using a generator. The most commonly reported health conditions were sleep disturbances in Santa Rosa (54%) and respiratory illness in Escambia (46%). Injuries were reported in fewer than 15% of households in each county.

Conclusion: Rapid restoration of power, telephone, and debris pickup remained a priority one week after the event. Findings demonstrated the need for mental health and primary care services, as well as education about safe generator use.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner)in this session will be able to

• Identify the needs of the affected population in post-hurricane setting and provide reliable information for emergency response officers
• Understand key concept in utilizing cluster sampling technique to conduct a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA)

Keywords: Disasters, Assessments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation