Respiratory and Otolaryngology Symptoms Following the 2019 Spring Floods in Quebec

Elsa Landaverde (), Mélissa Généreux, Danielle Maltais and Philippe Gachon
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Elsa Landaverde: Département des Sciences de la Santé Communautaire, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
Mélissa Généreux: Département des Sciences de la Santé Communautaire, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
Danielle Maltais: Département des Sciences Humaines et Sociales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l’Université, Ville de Saguenay, QC G7H21, Canada
Philippe Gachon: Département de Geographie et Centre ESCER (Étude et Simulation du Climat à l’Échelle Régionale), Université du Québec à Montréal, 201, Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, QC H2X 3Y7, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Although floods may have important respiratory health impacts, few studies have examined this issue. This study aims to document the long-term impacts of the spring floods of 2019 in Quebec by (1) describing the population affected by the floods; (2) assessing the impacts on the respiratory system according to levels of exposure; and (3) determining the association between stressors and respiratory health. Methods: A population health survey was carried out across the six most affected regions 8–10 months post-floods. Data were collected on self-reported otolaryngology (ENT) and respiratory symptoms, along with primary and secondary stressors. Three levels of exposure were examined: flooded, disrupted and unaffected. Results: One in ten respondents declared being flooded and 31.4% being disrupted by the floods. Flooded and disrupted participants reported significantly more ENT symptoms (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.18; 95% CI: 2.45–4.14; aOR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.45–2.14) and respiratory symptoms (aOR: 3.41; 95% CI: 2.45–4.75; aOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.10–1.91) than the unaffected participants. All primary stressors and certain secondary stressors assessed were significantly associated with both ENT and respiratory symptoms, but no “dose–response” gradient could be observed. Conclusion: This study highlights the long-term adverse effects of flood exposure on respiratory health.

Keywords: floods; respiratory impacts; ENT symptoms; respiratory symptoms; primary stressors; secondary stressors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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