Factors Motivating Individuals to Take Precautionary Action for an Expected Earthquake in Istanbul

Abstract

Istanbul is expected to experience an earthquake in the near future, but individuals show limited interest in preparing for it. This study aims to identify the factors associated with taking action to prepare for an earthquake and mitigate its effects at the individual level. A field survey was carried out in 2007 in two districts of Istanbul with different levels of earthquake risk. Within these districts, three socioeconomic levels were considered. A total of 1,123 people were interviewed face to face. Analysis indicated that the educational level of the respondents was the leading factor associated with taking at least three measures, followed by living in a higher earthquake risk area, having participated in rescue and solidarity activities in previous earthquakes, a higher level of knowledge about earthquakes, home ownership, a higher score for action-stimulating attitudes, being younger, and a higher general safety score, in that order. The findings pointed to the role of knowledge about earthquakes and possible mitigation/preparedness measures, and thus the importance of developing effective awareness programs. Such programs should also consider the characteristics of different groups in the population. Motivated individuals, such as those who have participated in rescue and solidarity activities in previous earthquakes, could be involved in reaching other people.

Earthquake awareness and perception of risk among the residents of Istanbul

“…Similar situations and explanations have also been mentioned by other authors (Burningham et al 2008;Işeri Say et al 2005;Johnston et al 1999). On the other hand, we know from our previous study (Tekeli-Yeşil et al 2010a) that respondents in Bakırköy were better prepared for an earthquake than respondents living in Beykoz, so that some of the former might feel safer due to the measures they had taken and thus perceive less risk to their properties and to themselves when compared with the respondents living in Beykoz. It might be the other way round for some of the respondents living in Beykoz.…”

“…Detailed information about the data collection process, the questionnaire and analysis is set out elsewhere (Tekeli-Yeşil et al 2010a). …”

“…The data reported here are taken from a survey conducted in 2007, whose results were partly reported by Tekeli-Yeşil et al (2010a). The study was conducted in Istanbul, Turkey.…”

“…A previous study (Tekeli-Yeşil et al 2010a) showed that the latter especially is important in the process of taking action. Therefore, in this paper, we aimed to identify the factors predicting knowledge about an earthquake and about how to cope with its consequences.…”

“…Despite the effectiveness of such measures, people in both developing (Dedeoglu 2006;Kalaça et al 2007) and developed countries (Lehman and Taylor 1987;Lindell and Prater 2000) often fail to adopt them. The findings of our two previous studies, a quantitative study (Tekeli-Yeşil et al 2010a) and a qualitative one (Tekeli-Yeşil et al 2010b), in Istanbul indicated that risk awareness is one of the most crucial factors in the process of taking such action. The findings of the qualitative study showed that the amount of knowledge of the risk and its consequences were considerable, and participants presented a realistic appraisal of the risk.…”