A case-control study of injuries arising from the earthquake in Armenia, 1988.
The study attempts to identify predictors of injuries among persons who were hospitalized following the Armenian earthquake of 7 December 1988. A total of 189 such individuals were identified through neighbourhood polyclinics in the city of Leninakan and 159 noninjured controls were selected from the same neighbourhoods. A standardized interview questionnaire was used. Cases and controls shared many social and demographic characteristics; however, 98% of persons who were hospitalized with injuries were inside a building at the time of the earthquake, compared with 83% of the controls (odds ratio = 12.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.62-63.79). The odds ratio of injuries for individuals who were in a building that had five or more floors, compared with those in lower buildings, was 3.65 (95% CI = 2.12-6.33). Leaving buildings after the first shock of the earthquake was a protective behaviour. The odds ratio for those staying indoors compared with those who ran out was 4.40 (95% CI = 2.24-8.71).
Armenian
H K
HK
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Noji
E K
EK
Oganesian
A P
AP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001136:Armenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004190:Disasters; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology