Hussain Bux Kolachi, Mohammad Akbar Kazi, Bikha Ram Devrajani.
Runn of kachch earthquake: in Tharparkar its environmental and mental health problems; experience and public health issue then and now.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;5(4):54-9.

Background: Earthquakes often occur in volcanic regions and are caused there, both by tectonic faults and by the movement of magma in volcanoes. Series of tremors appear after the main tremor and is termed as aftershocks and always smaller in magnitude than main tremor Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes formed as the crust around the displaced fault plane adjusts to the effects of the main shock. This survey was conducted to know the impact of earth quake on the mental physical and social heath and magnitude of earth quake related morbidity, mortality and economic losses in Tharparkar district after earthquake 2002. Methods: Study was conducted at Taluka Hospital Nagarparkar and EDO Health Ofce Tharparkar during 26th January 2001 to 26th January 2002. A survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires to Medic and paramedics of affected First care level facilities and referral Care facilities who attended Health Management Workshop organized by Directorate General Health in earthquake affected district of Badin, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas Hyderabad and Thatta and Tharpakar who witness tremor of earthquake and treated patients and survivors. Results: On 26th January 2001 earthquake hit 6 districts including Tharpakar .The earthquake originated in Runnof- Katch a southern most border of Sindh and Pakistan. Estimated earthquake victims suffered from medical problem ,fainting ,injuries and deaths injured, deaths . There were 5661 victims who reached or brought to the near by health facilities and were provided medical care out of thses 5661 total victims , 1504 (26.5%) were in Tharparkara , in Umerkot district 500( 8.83%), in Mirpurkhas 1040( 18.37%) , in Badiin 1563 (27.60%) this was the highest number of earthquake affectees while in Thatta 504 ( 8.90%) and in Hyderabad district 545 (9.62%). In a brief the total victims 5661 whose data is reported here further shows that there were 5500(97.15%) victims who had medical problems, 110 (1.94%) were injured, 32 (0.56%) suffer fainting ( un-consciousness' ) and there were 19 (0.33%) deaths due to earthquake injuries. Where Tharparkar and Umerkot had 2 deaths because of soft sand and straw made round roofs light roofs called 'Chura' which protected the people from tremors and injuries. While RCC buildings caused more deaths and more injuries. Conclusion: The study concludes that earthquake caused sicknesses, injuries and deaths more where brick and RCC buildings were present while less damage occurred in Tharpakar where straw and wood made house structure were present Key Words: Earth quake, Richter Scale, phobia, disaster.

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