Frequency of infectious diseases among flood affected people at district Rajanpur, Pakistan

Objective: To identify the frequency of infectious diseases among flood victims during and after disaster at district Rajanpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted from 15th to 31st August 2010 at 17 flood affected places of District Rajanpur of Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total of 7814 affected people were interviewed consecutively by using semi-structured questionnaire visiting the relief camps during the study period. Information was obtained after taking informed consent regarding infectious diseases: Acute Respiratory Tract Infection, Eye Infection, Gastrointestinal Tract Infection, Ear Infection, Skin and Soft tissue Infection, and suspected Malaria. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Result: The results showed that the distribution of infectious disease cases presented to relief camps were Gastrointestinal cases (Acute Diarrhea)-30%, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection (33%), Eye (Conjunctivitis)-07%, Ear, Nose and Throat Infection (05%), Respiratory Tract Infection (21%), and Suspected Malaria (4%). Their mean age was 23.15 ± 17.53 years. Conclusion: Our study concluded that there was a high frequency of infectious diseases. The morbidity and mortality resulting from infectious diseases can be minimized if public health intervention efforts are implemented in a timely and coordinated fashion.