Prevalence of Immediate Acute and Chronic Diseases after Flood in May 2016 in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Storm Roanu that struck Sri Lanka on 15 May 2016 caused severe flooding and numerous landslides, particularly in the west of the country. Sri Lanka Navy deployed immediate disaster management teams including medical teams with other sister forces. This study was conducted to identify acute medical needs of medical disaster management at natural disaster situations and immediate relief actions with a proactive approach. Analysis data was done based on 2153 prescriptions out of a total 2490 cases treated at Western Province immediately after flood on basis of drug classification of British national formula-2014 according to biological systems. Study revealed that 24.9% prescriptions consisted central nerve system medicines indications of muscular skeleton/soft tissue pain and joints pain 21.1% drug preparations consisted of infectious diseases and 17.5% prescriptions consisted gastrointestinal system medicines. 12.7% of prescriptions of nutrition preparations were used as placebo for somatoform conditions. 12% of prescriptions included respiratory system medicines, while 10.74% prescriptions were for skin diseases, eye, ear and pharynx indications. Total of 2.4% prescriptions included medicines for hypertension, ischemic in heart disease medicines of endocrine system. The study suggests providing an outline of the risk factors for outbreaks after a disaster, reviewing the communicable diseases and care of non-communicable diseases likely to be important, and establishing priorities to address acute health needs in disaster settings. This approach may improve quality of care with minimal resources.