Rapid assessment survey of earthquake affected Bhuj block of Kachchh District,* Gujarat, India

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: How much human loss would have caused by the earthquake in Bhuj block? What is the environmental sanitation status?
OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess human loss and injuries after the earthquake in Bhuj block.(2) To study the status of some relief activities.(3) To study the environmental sanitation status of the earthquake affected Bhuj block.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTINGS: Bhuj block. Participants: All villages excluding Bhuj city of Bhuj block. Statistical analysis: 0 Proportions, chi-square test, chi-square for trend.
RESULTS: Survey was done in 144 villages; there were total 541 deaths with death rate of 3.18 per 1000 population. Death rate was significantly associated with distance of village from epicenter (chi-square for trend significant, P < 0.001). Among victims, majority were children 171 (45.4%) and women 107 (28.4%). Relief work was significantly associated with accessibility of village (P < 0.001) and few interior pockets were deprived of help. Total 56 (38.9%) villages were entirely dependent on water tanker for water supply and in 61 (42.4%) villages drinking water was used without chlorination. In 142 (98.6%) villages open-air defecation was practiced. Diseases such as URTIs, diarrheal diseases, fever and conjunctivitis were commonly observed in the field area.