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Earthquake Preparedness and Knowledge of Recommended Self-Protective Actions: A Survey of Nursing Students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2021

Bernadette M. Longo
Bernadette M. Longo*
Affiliation:
Orvis School of Nursing, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
*
Corresponding author: Bernadette Longo, Email: longo@unr.edu.
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Abstract

Objective:

Nurses are a vital workforce to the disaster response of an earthquake. The aim of this study was to assess preexisting knowledge in baccalaureate nursing students about disaster preparedness and self-protective behavioral responses during an earthquake.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional survey of nursing students from a seismologically active region was conducted. Data were collected prior to earthquake preparedness education and ShakeOut drills designed to enhance personal safety.

Results:

A total of 274 nursing students participated in the survey (response rate – 93%). More than half (57%) of respondents did not feel prepared for an earthquake; 88% were without a household emergency plan and 82% lacked emergency supplies. Self-protective actions of drop, cover, and hold on and stay in bed were accurately identified by 77% and 96% of respondents, respectively. Hazardous actions selected included stand in a doorway (77% of respondents) and go outside into the street (23% of respondents).

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate a lack of personal disaster preparedness in nursing students and several behavioral responses that do not promote self-preservation during seismic activity. Although existing baccalaureate nursing education addresses competencies for disaster care, actions are needed to develop curriculum that emphasizes preparedness and safety to regional environmental hazards.

Keywords

disaster preparedness and responsedisaster simulationearthquakesnursing studentspreparedness campaigns
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , April 2022 , pp. 495 - 499
Copyright
© 2021 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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