Varzaghan Earthquake Affected Mothers’ and Their Newborns’ Health More Severely, in Socioeconomically Vulnerable Area

Abstract

ObjectiveWe aimed to compare the pregnancy status of the pregnant women and birth status of their newborns, socioeconomic status, and access to health services, between high- and low-damage areas in Heris, affected by the Varzaghan Earthquake, 2012.MethodsThe study was conducted on pregnant women at any trimester of pregnancy (with complete medical profiles in local health centers) in August 2012 (time of the earthquake) who lived in Heris and delivered up to March 2013. Data were obtained on pregnancy- and infant-related variables, housing, socioeconomic status, and access to health services, including food supplies, before and after the earthquake.ResultsFamily income and mothers’ education were lower in highly damaged areas. Among these women, underweight at first trimester of pregnancy was higher, and weight gain during the last trimester was lower, compared with low-damage regions. Preterm delivery was higher in low-damage areas. Birth indices of the infants were not significantly different between the 2 areas; however, in highly damaged areas, moderate malnutrition was more prevalent among children under 1 year (weight-for-age) and under 2 years (height-for-age).ConclusionsSocioeconomic status of mothers was lower in highly damaged areas and might have played a role in their own and newborns’ health status. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13: 511-518)

The Effect of an Earthquake Experienced During Pregnancy on Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes

“…18,19 The results of a recent study in the Haris region where affected by Varzaghan earthquake showed that the prevalence of moderate malnutrition among children under 1 year was higher in highly damaged areas. 20 However, in the mentioned study, no comparison was made before and after the earthquake regarding mothers' and infants' health indices. 20 To the best of our knowledge, no information is available regarding the effects of the Varzaghan earthquake on the health status of pregnant women and birth outcomes.…”

“…20 However, in the mentioned study, no comparison was made before and after the earthquake regarding mothers' and infants' health indices. 20 To the best of our knowledge, no information is available regarding the effects of the Varzaghan earthquake on the health status of pregnant women and birth outcomes. Studying the consequences of natural disasters and their detrimental effects on the health indicators of pregnant women helps us minimize the health problems.…”

An Assessment of Pediatric Resident Disaster Preparedness for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…Hospitals impacted by disaster situations such as hurricanes and floods must act quickly and efficiently to protect their vulnerable populations. 1,2 Patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are amongst these vulnerable patients, particularly technology dependent infants, who require round the clock supervision and are at high risk of adverse outcomes during disasters. However, hospitals may not be sufficiently prepared to respond in such instances.…”