Disaster Preparedness Knowledge, Beliefs, Risk-Perceptions, and Mitigating Factors of Disaster Preparedness Behaviors of Undergraduate Students at a Large Midwest University

Abstract

Objective: Differences were assessed in disaster preparedness levels of college students at a large Midwest university based on knowledge, risk perception, beliefs, prior enrollment in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or first aid class, and self-efficacy was assessed. Methods: College students between the ages of 18 and 24 years old were recruited from a general education class and from students who walked by a high-traffic area in the student union to complete a 27-item survey. A disaster preparedness score was calculated based on items each participant indicated he or she currently possessed at home. Participant responses were also dichotomized into knowledge (advanced vs. basic) risk perception (high vs. low), belief (strong vs. weak), CERT or first aid enrollment (yes vs. no), and self-efficacy (high vs. low) groups based on how the participant answered specific items on the survey. An independent samplest test was used to analyze the differences in disaster preparedness levels between each dichotomized group. Results: There was no significant difference (p=0.789) found between the strong beliefs (M=7.97, SD=3.478) and the weak beliefs group (M=7.88, SD=3.099), t(384) = -4.978. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, health education programs that focus on improving knowledge, self-efficacy in preparing for a disaster, and risk perception of experiencing a disaster will increase the disaster preparedness levels of college students. Universities partnering with community emergency management agencies and offering CERT or first aid classes to college students can increase the disaster preparedness levels of college students and potentially improve response and recovery after a disaster.

Emergency Preparedness and Perceptions of Resident University Students

“…Previous studies have addressed the preparedness of college students for disaster emergencies and have even correlated students' perceptions against their actual preparedness (Claborn, 2010;Goddard, 2018;Lovekamp, 2008;Mulilis, 2000;Simms, 2013;Tanner, 2015;Tkachuck, 2018). There has been no previous literature which confines such a study to the oncampus resident population.…”

“…Goddard et al based their questionnaire after one done by the CDC, which was summarized in a previous category (Goddard, 2018;Thomas, 2015). The methodology and survey layout remained similar, but the population of focus was shifted to students of Missouri State University.…”

“…There was a significant lack of evacuations plans, hazard mitigation, and disaster knowledge across studies (Claborn, 2010;Lovekamp, 2008;Simms, 2013). Factors that lead to increased actual preparedness included advanced knowledge, high risk perception, high self-efficacy, previous enrollment in disaster trainings, disaster experience, and sense of personal responsibility (Goddard, 2018;Mulilis, 2000;Tkachuck, 2018). No studies were found that constricted the study pool to on-campus resident students only.…”

“…Specific survey questions rarely included/described. Goddard, S., Sheppard, M., & Thompson, K. (2018) Convenience sample of students collected through both a general education class, and by tabling in a high traffic part of campus. The written survey was based off of a previous study done by the CDC and had a total of 27 questions.…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Nursing Students on Disaster Preparedness

“…Students who gained more emergency preparedness skills showed a higher degree of disaster preparedness. [20]…”