Assessment of Disaster and CBRN Informatics Levels and Attitudes of First and Emergency Aid Program Senior Students

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the disaster and CBRN informatics levels and attitudes of the first and emergency aid program senior students.
 
 Material and Method: The research sample consists of students (84 individuals) enrolled at Gümüşhane University Vocational School of Health Services (VSHS) in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. The study participants provided their written consent, allowing the study to conduct in compliance with ethical standards. Additionally, the Gümüşhane University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee issued its clearance (2019/1) for the research project, and the University VSHS Directorate provided the required institutional permission to carry out the research. A survey questionnaire (form) generated by the researcher in line with the literature was used to collect data and subsequently analyze the disaster and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) knowledge levels and attitudes of the senior students enrolled in the first and emergency aid program.
 
 Results: The senior students enrolled in the first and emergency aid program stated receiving disaster- (76.2%) and CBRN-related (79.8%) education, and 89.3% reported attending these practices. They were aware of having 75% and 100% additional roles and responsibilities during and after the disasters, respectively. Moreover, 51.2% of the participants remarked that they primarily engaged in therapy and health practices, whereas 63.1% indicated that they were partially ready in case of a disaster.
 
 Conclusion: The data acquired under the study scope revealed that the senior students in the first and emergency aid program had previously taken classes on CBRN and disaster-related subjects and participated in their practices. They acknowledged that they had additional obligations during and after the disaster, asserting that their responsibilities mainly focused on applying treatment and health practices. Therefore, they concluded to be partially ready in case of any disaster.