Use of Beach Shoes for Foot Protection during the Bangkok Flood of 2011
- Author:
Saranatra Waikakul
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
2013;7(1):84-87
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Foot injury was common as a result of the
Bangkok flood of 2011. In the future, this type of injury
should be prevented to lessen the burden during a disaster.
Objectives: The study was performed to ascertain what type
of footwear is appropriate for volunteer rescue workers
during a flood. Material and Methods: The study was
carried out during the flood in November 2011 at Siriraj
Hospital. There were 15 volunteers enrolled in the study.
None of the volunteers had any foot deformity or injury
before the study. Participants were divided into 3 groups of 5 volunteers: group A, the barefoot group; group B, the high top shoe group; and group C, the beach shoe group. All
volunteers worked in the areas close to Siriraj Hospital and were followed up after 5 days of rescue work. Prevalence of foot and ankle injuries, satisfaction regarding work conditions and willingness to use the shoes were subjectively evaluated. Wearing of beach shoes during rescue was satisfactory during the early phase of the flood. Results: The age range of volunteers was 20-28. In the group A, most volunteers were barely satisfied with conducting rescue work in water with bare feet, that bare feet were good for working on a wet surface and were ‘just satisfied’ to not satisfied that bare feet were good for work on dry surfaces. In group B, most of the volunteers had opinions similar to group A with the exception that they felt better while they were working on dry surfaces. In group C, most volunteers were significantly more satisfied under all three conditions. Foot
injury occurred in 2 volunteers from group A. Conclusion:
Beach shoes offer adequate foot protection during flood
rescue.
- Full text:W020160113347654341616.pdf
