Seismic, structural, and individual factors associated with earthquake related injury

摘要: Background: Earthquakes cause thousands of deaths worldwide every year, and systematic study the causes these can lead to their prevention. Few studies have examined how multiple types risk factors are related physical injury during an earthquake. Methods: A population based case-control was conducted examine individual characteristics, building seismic features 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake contributed injury. Cases included fatal hospital-admitted injuries caused by Controls were drawn from a phone survey county residents. individually matched two sets controls: one age gender location at time Results: Individuals over 65 had 2.9 times as younger people (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 7.4) women 2.4 greater than men CI 5.1). Location in unit residential commercial structures each led increased compared with single structures, but exact estimate varied depending on control group used. With increase ground motion 10%g, 2.2 1.6 3.3). Conclusions: Controlling for other factors, it found that individual, building, characteristics independently predictive risk. Prevention preparedness efforts should focus potential points intervention.