Research Report Cyclone Aila and Health Hazards: A Study on Koyra Upazila of Khulna District, Bangladesh

Abstract

Cyclones are the most common natural hazard. The impact of cyclones on the human is related directly to the location and typography of the area, human demographics and characteristics of the built environment. Bangladesh is one of the cyclone prone countries in the world, due to its conical shape and location on the tip of the Bay of Bengal. Cyclone Aila ravaged the south western part of Bangladesh on 25 May 2009. The present study was conducted at seven union parishads of Koyra upazila of Khulna district. A total of 210 people were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Observations were carried out to obtain peoples’ perception and ideas about the health hazards. The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of diseases and illnesses in the study area before and after cyclone periods. The study also aimed at identifying the factors associated with health hazards and their impacts on the people of Aila affected area. The study employed an interview survey using a structured questionnaire.