Risk factors for injury during Typhoon Saomei.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about risk factors for typhoon-related injury.


METHODS
On 10 August 2006, Typhoon Saomei (one of the strongest typhoons on record) struck Southern China. We conducted a census in Longhua Village, Fujian Province to assess typhoon-related injury, and carried out a matched case-control analysis to evaluate risk factors.


RESULTS
Of the 3002 residents interviewed, 136 (4.5%) were injured, and 7 were reported by family members to have died (2.3 per 1000). Injuries were highest with the first peak of wind speed. Living in houses directly facing the sea, compared with living in the last row of houses, was associated with an increased risk (relative risk = 18 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.7-55]). Important risk factors were failure to reinforce doors or windows (adjusted odds ratio = 13 [95% CI = 2.4-76]), staying in a damaged room (8.7 [2.5-31]), and staying near a window or door (12 [4.1-38]).


CONCLUSIONS
Injuries with typhoon Saomei were related to both wind speed and failure to take specific preventive measures.
Chinese Field Epidemiology Training Program, Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
Jinyu
J
Shen
Zijian
Z
Feng
Guang
G
Zeng
Bao-Ping
BP
Zhu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019352:Censuses; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D055815:Young Adult