Effects of earthquake on senior citizens of Shankharapur municipality, Kathmandu district of Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20214494Keywords:
Senior citizen, Effects, Earthquake, Shifting to temporary sheltersAbstract
Background: Senior citizens can face difficult situation in the immediate consequences of unpleasant disaster because of their physical vulnerabilities. Mortality rate of elderly is comparatively higher than younger individuals and are at risk of social isolation following natural disasters, as their reactions are not fast and they might be unable or unwilling to evacuate from their homes. To assess the effects of earthquake on senior citizens of Shankharapur municipality, Kathmandu district of Nepal.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 115 senior citizens, Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20 and the descriptive statistics were reported.
Results: The study found that majority (94%) of the senior citizens stayed outside in temporary shelter after earthquake for more than a month (35%) with less than 5 minutes distance (70%) from an original house after earthquake. 35% of the respondents faced problem due to leakage of rain water and suffered cold while staying in temporary shelter after earthquake. Among the total respondents majority (92%) of the respondent’s house was cracked or collapsed after earthquake where only 30% of the respondents went for reconstruction or maintenance and majority 91% spend their own money from pocket for maintenance.
Conclusions: This study found that shifting to temporary shelter after earthquake and loss of economy due to cracked or collapse of house after earthquake as a major effect on senior citizens of Shankharapur municipality, Kathmandu district after earthquake.
Metrics
References
Adhikari S. Health, nutrition and care for senior citizens of Nepal in twenty first century. J Health and Allied Sci. 2013;3(1):73-5.
Pathak B. An impact assessment of a great earthquake in Nepal. Kathmandu. Available at: www.transcend.org/tms.2015. Accessed on 23 September 2021.
Prolonged shortage of essential supplies worries senior citizens. The Himalayan Times, Kathmandu. 2015. Available at: https://thehimalayantimes.com/ kathmandu/shortage-of-essentials-worries-icrc-donors. Accessed on 23 September 2021.
Pappas S. Mental Fall out from Japan Disaster Hits elderly Hard. Live Science Contributor. 2011. Available at: https://www.livescience.com/13425-japenese-disaster-psychology-older-adults.html. Accessed on 23 September 2021.
Nepal earthquake: 650,000 older people need aid. Institute for aging with dignity. 2015. Available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/archive/ napal-earthquake-650000-older-people-in-urgent-need-of-aid/. Accessed on 23 September 2021.
Displacement and older people: The case of Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 2011. Help Age International. 2013. Available at: https://www. helpage.org/silo/files/displacement-and-older-people-the-case-of-the-great-east-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011.pdf. Accessed on 23 September 2021.
Technical Report: Older persons in Emergency Situations: A case study of the Great Hanshin -Awaji Earthquake, WHO. 2013. Ageing Soc. 2016;36(10):2117-40.
Adhikari RP, Upadhaya N, Paudel S, Pokhrel R, Bhandari N, Cole L, Koirala S. Psychosocial and Mental Health Problems of Older People in Postearthquake Nepal. J Aging Health. 2018;30(6):945-64.
Nepal earthquake: 650,000 older people need aid. Age UK. 2015. Available at: https://www.ageuk. org.uk/latest-news/archive/napal-earthquake-650000-older-people-in-urgent-need-of-aid/. Accessed on 23 September 2021.