Demographic Analysis of Flood Deaths in Iran From 2002 to 2018: A Case-Control Study; [تحلیل دموگرافیک مرگهای ناشی از سیل در ایران بین سال های 1380 تا :1397 یک مطالعه مورد-شاهدی]



Yari A^{1, 2} ; Ardalan A³ ; Ostadtaghizadeh A^{3, 4} Show Affiliations
Source: Iranian Journal of Health and Environment Published:2024

Abstract

Background and Objective: Demographic characteristics are among the factors that can contribute to flood-related deaths. Investigating the relationship between these factors and flood-related deaths, as well as measuring their impact on the prevention, reduction, and elimination of such deaths, is essential. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a case-control study in all flood-affected areas of Iran that experienced flood-related deaths from 2002-2018. The sample size of the study was 369 (123 cases and 246 controls) from 12 provinces and 30 counties. The study measured the impact of demographic characteristics on flood-related deaths using a valid and reliable tool. Results: The findings of this study revealed that individuals under the age of 15 face a 31.974 times higher risk of flood-related death compared to individuals over 65. The young population, specifically those aged 15 to 29 in Iran, have a 1.475 times higher risk. Drivers face a 13.874 times higher risk, while individuals involved in agriculture, shepherding, and livestock farming have a 0.947 times higher risk compared to homeowners. Conclusion: Among the demographic characteristics, children, young adults, and engaging in certain high-risk occupations such as driving or agriculture increase the risk of flood-related deaths. Therefore, it is recommended to prioritize protection, education, and vulnerability reduction measures for these individuals, especially in flood-prone areas. Copyright © 2024 Iranian Association of Environmental Health, and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Noncommercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited.