Household disaster preparedness in the Islamic Republic of Iran: 2015 estimation

Abstract

Background: Households are the most fundamental unit of society and they need to be prepared for disasters. Aims: This study assessed the 2015 national estimation of disaster preparedness among Iranian households. Methods: Using a multi-stage cluster sampling, this study was performed on 2986 households in the catchment area of 54 public health departments in all 30 provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The data collection tool was Household Disaster Preparedness Index (HDPI), which included 15 disaster preparedness measures. SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean score of Household Disaster Preparedness (HDP) was estimated at 9.3 out of 100 (95% CI: 8.3-10.3). The multivariate analysis revealed slightly higher preparedness 1 / 9 WHO EMRO | Household disaster preparedness in the Islamic Republic of Iran: 2015 estimation among rural households than urban households (P < 0.001). Higher level of education was positively associated with a higher preparedness score (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In line with first priority for action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the current study provided an overall picture of HDP in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This estimation can be used as a baseline value for policy-making, planning, and evaluation of disaster public awareness in the country.

Investigating the Preparedness of Iranian Families in the Face of Disasters

“…Increasing households' preparedness in the face of disasters and participation in disaster planning is one of the strategies to achieve sustainable development. 15 According to World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, citizens should be empowered in terms of self-dependency, first aids, and other similar procedures to respond quickly to major incidents or disasters. 20 Generally, each society is composed of groups of stakeholders exposed to similar risks.…”

“…23 Although some studies have referred to the level of knowledge as one of the factors involved in disaster preparedness, just having sufficient knowledge cannot guarantee the performance of preparedness measures. 15 Based on the findings of Muttarak's study, participating in disaster preparedness exercises and programs increased the likelihood of taking preparedness measures. Furthermore, people with higher education levels had better learning and processing skills of abstract thinking.…”

“…The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed by Ardalan et al and Najafi et al; accordingly, the Cronbach's alpha for preparedness and awareness questions was estimated to be 0.78. 15,16 Preparatory measures included holding a planning meeting to cope with disasters among family members, preparing important hazard risk maps, familiarizing with disaster and disaster warnings, assessing the structural and non-structural safety of housing, taking measures to reduce non-structural vulnerabilities, presence of an emergency kit and fire extinguishers, communication plan between family members after disasters, preparing an emergency evacuation plan, planning to help vulnerable groups among family members such as elderly people, training a family member about first aids (a program for collaboration of family members to participate in neighborhood-based disaster management programs), and practicing emergency preparedness among family members. Scores 1 and 0 were recorded for taking and not taking the measures, respectively.…”

Social support, educational, and behavioral modification interventions for improving household disaster preparedness in the general community-dwelling population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, many studies have found that households remain unprepared for disasters, even in disaster-prone areas ( 17 ). Research from Asia ( 18 , 19 ), North America ( 20 ), New Zealand ( 21 ), Australia ( 22 ), and Africa ( 23 ), as well as from the Middle East ( 24 , 25 ), has revealed low levels of household preparedness ( 26 ). In the United States, surveys at both national and local levels consistently demonstrate that the public remains under-prepared ( 27–30 ).…”

Concepts and Components of Household Disaster Preparedness: A Qualitative Study

“…Families involved in the measures implemented for disaster preparedness have been found to be more resilient; therefore, many efforts have been made to increase family preparedness. Nevertheless, based on the studies, household preparedness levels are still low and unsatisfactory (1)(2)(3).…”