Cross-sectional survey of the disaster preparedness of nurses across the Asia-Pacific region

Author(s)
Usher, Kim
Mills, Jane
Sayami, Jamuna
Lak, Muy Seang
Sio, Alison
Ullah, Mohammad Mofiz
Sheng, Yu
Zang, Yuli
Buettner, Petra
Woods, Cindy
West, Caryn
Casella, Evan
Dorji, Passang
Guo, Aimin
Koy, Virya
Pego, George
Phanpaseuth, Souksavanh
Phouthavong, Olaphim
Publication Date
2015
Abstract
Healthcare workers who have received disaster preparedness education are more likely to report a greater understanding of disaster preparedness. However, research indicates that current nursing curricula do notm adequately prepare nurses to respond to disasters. This is the first study to assess Asia-Pacific nurses' perceptions about their level of disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 757 hospital and community nurses in seven Asia-Pacific countries. Data were collected using the modified Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool. Participants were found to have overall low-to-moderate levels of disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness, wherein important gaps were identified. A majority of the variance in disaster preparedness scores was located at the level of the individual respondent, not linked to countries or institutions. Multilevel random effects modelling identified disaster experience and education as significant factors of positive perceptions of disaster knowledge, skills, and management.The first step toward disaster preparedness is to ensure frontline health workers are able to respond effectively to disaster events. The outcomes of this study have important policy and education implications.
Citation
Nursing and Health Sciences, 17(4), p. 434-443
ISSN
1442-2018
1441-0745
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Title
Cross-sectional survey of the disaster preparedness of nurses across the Asia-Pacific region
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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