Mapping Individual Earthquake Preparedness in China

Abstract

Abstract. Disaster preparedness is critical for reducing potential impact. This paper contributes to current knowledge of disaster preparedness using a representative national sample data from China, which faces high earthquake risks in many areas of the country. The adoption of earthquake preparedness activities by the general public, including five material preparation, and five awareness preparation were surveyed, and 3,245 respondents from all of the 31 provinces of mainland 10China participated in the survey. Linear regression models and Logit regression models were used to analyze the effects of potential influencing factors. Overall, the preparedness levels are not satisfied, with a material preparation score of 3.02 (1-5), and awareness preparation score of 2.79 (1-5), nationally. Meanwhile, residents from west China where have higher earthquake risk have higher preparedness degrees. The concern of disaster risk reduction, the concern of building safety and participation in public affairs are consistent positive predictors of both material and awareness preparedness. The 15 demographic and socioeconomic variables' effects, such as gender, age, education, income, urban/rural division, and occupied building type, vary according to different preparedness activities. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of the theoretical contribution and potential implementation.