Epidemiology: Open Access

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Short Term Medical Response in Haiti: Epidemiology and Model for Delivery of Care

Karla Prentiss, Tyler Prentiss, Thomas Zervos, Shauna King and Marcus Zervos

On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, with several subsequent aftershocks. It was estimated that 200,000 to 230,000 died, more than 300,000 were left wounded and 1 to 1.3 million left homeless. We describe an intervention bundle that includes acute medical care, and community education. There were 641 male and 1042 female patients seen over an 8 day period. Mean age was 24.6yrs (range 30d to 94 years). Thirty eight percent of patients were under the age of 18 yrs. All patients sought medical and 254 patients also sought dental care. The most common presenting complaints were fever which occurred in 304 patients. Most common disorders seen were gastrointestinal illness in 222 patients, respiratory illness in 169, eye dryness in 162, skin infection in 153, pain and malaise in 151 and vaginal symptoms including sexually transmitted diseases in 118 patients. Sixty five women sought medical attention for pregnancy or complications. Fifty eight percent of children had received polio immunization and 55 percent stated they slept with bed nets.