ScholarWorks@중앙대학교

초록

This study aimed to elucidate the association between wildfire smoke exposure and healthcare utilization for respiratory diseases in Samcheok (City), Gangwon Province, South Korea, focusing on a major wildfire that occurred on 6–9 May 2017. The relative risks (RRs) of healthcare utilization for respiratory diseases in a direct-exposure area (Samcheok) during (6–9 May 2017) and post (10 May–6 June 2017) wildfire periods, relative to the pre-wildfire period (22 April–5 May 2017) were analyzed. The post-wildfire period was divided into immediate and extended, each with a 2-week interval. Additionally, the relative risk ratios (RRRs) of healthcare utilization were analyzed for the same period in 2018, when no wildfire occurred. In the direct-exposure area (Samcheok), there were increased RRs of respiratory disease healthcare utilization for all ages in the wildfire (RR = 1.81, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.67–1.96) and extended post-wildfire (RR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.20–1.33) periods. The highest risk was observed in children aged <9 years in the wildfire (RR = 2.20, 95% CI: 2.04–2.38) and extended post-wildfire (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.37–1.52) periods. Compared with that of the corresponding periods in 2018, significant increases in the RRRs were observed during the wildfire (RRR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.15–1.45) and extended post-wildfire (RRR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.61–1.91) periods. The wildfire in Gangwon province significantly increased healthcare utilization for respiratory diseases during the wildfire and post-wildfire periods.

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