Impact of Disasters on Community Medical Screening Examination and Vaccination Rates: The Case of the Sewol Ferry Disaster in Ansan, Korea

Objective: In April 2014, the Sewol ferry sank off the coast of Korea, resulting in 304 deaths. Of these, 250 were local high school students from Ansan, and the disaster severely affected their community. This study investigated the association of this disaster with health examination, cancer screening rate, and vaccination rate. Methods: The study subjects were adults ages >= 19 years (11 026 Ansan residents and 1 361 624 non-residents of Ansan) who participated in the 2011-2016 Korea Community Health Survey. The national health screening program examination rate, cancer screening rate, and influenza vaccination rate in Ansan residents and non-residents were assessed and their responses compared using chi-square tests, multiple logistic regression analyses, and a stratification analysis according to depression. Results: After the disaster (2014-2016), non-residents received more health screening (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.13, P < 0.001), cancer screening (aOR = 1.41, P < 0.001), and vaccination (aOR = 1.10, P = 0.002) than Ansan residents. This difference was more evident in the group without a depressive mood. Conclusion: People living in disaster areas show lower rates of medical screening examination and receive fewer vaccinations after the disaster. To decrease health impacts by disaster, efforts to increase community health screenings and vaccinations may be needed.