Emergency nurse disaster preparedness during mass gatherings: a cross-sectional survey of emergency nurses' perceptions in hospitals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

The Impact of Simulated Education and Training on Undergraduate Students' Disaster Evacuation Competencies

Background

The occurrence of disasters in the world is natural, but we must learn how to deal with their occurrence and mitigate their impact on people and property. It is important to understand how to behave during hospital disasters and properly evacuate the affected areas. Simulation-based education and training are effective ways to increase knowledge, skills, awareness, and experience in the event of an internal hospital disaster.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of simulated education and training in enhancing undergraduate nursing students' disaster evacuation knowledge, skills, and preparedness.

Methods

The study utilized a quasi-experimental, single-group pre-and post-test design to assess the impact of simulation training on emergency and disaster preparedness among nursing students. It was conducted in the Simulation Nursing Laboratories at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University. The sample consisted of 119 undergraduate nursing students, including 60 male students and 59 female students. The Evacuation Disaster Simulation Questionnaire (EDSQ) was used to assess the knowledge and skills of the nursing students. The items cover three key subcategories: time, process, and transportation.

Results

The results showed that the mean score of the time in the pre-test group was 1.24±1.49, while it increased to 3.74±1.92 in the post-test. In the Process, the mean before the test is 2.23±1.05 and increased to 3.13±1.17 after the test. Lastly, in transportation, the mean score of the pre-test group was 3.26±1.41, but in the post-test group, the mean score on the scale rose to 4.13±1.28. This indicated an increase in students' understanding and awareness after the lecture and simulation training with a highly significant improvement (P=0.000).The highest mean score regarding evacuation disaster simulation competencies performance and total scores at pre- and post-educational intervention (Time (3.73), Process (3.13), and Transportation (4.12). Moreover, total scores (39.66) for the study group post-intervention program with a highly significant improvement (P= 0.000).

Conclusion

We can see the effectiveness and impact of education through simulation on students, indicating an increase in students' knowledge, understanding, and awareness after the lecture and simulation training.

Environment Disaster: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Determinants for the Preparation of Azorean Nurses

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Climate change increases the vulnerability of regions, communities, and individuals, stressing the urgent requirement to prepare health professionals in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. To foster sustainable and resilient communities, it is essential to integrate disaster preparedness into health education and practice. By equipping nurses with essential knowledge and skills, healthcare systems can be better prepared to respond to the challenges of climate change and disasters, contributing to safer and more resilient urban environments. This study aims to identify the factors that determine nurses' preparedness for disaster situations.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted through digital platforms among 230 nurses across the Azores to assess their preparedness for disaster management. A structured questionnaire, adapted from the validated Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET©), was administered to registered nurses affiliated with the Nursing Council. The sample was chosen for convenience, and data were analyzed using IBM® SPSS Statistics, employing descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha for measuring internal consistency, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA for comparative analysis. Ethical oversight was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Azores, ensuring confidentiality and the voluntary nature of participation.

RESULTS

The findings revealed concerns about nurses' disaster response, with 70% of participants indicating low ability. While knowledge was relatively strong (M = 5.50, SD = 1.07), practical competence showed a moderate score (3.51, SD = 1.797). Additional education is necessary in areas such as family preparation (M = 2.58, SD = 1.569), patient management during responses (M = 3.43, SD = 1.312), disaster-specific knowledge (M = 2.95, SD = 1.45), and recovery management (M = 2.53, SD = 1.363).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite increased knowledge and awareness of climate change and its global impact, there is a need for more meaningful nursing interventions to minimize the impact of climate change on the community. This study highlights that nurses have an in-depth knowledge of communities' needs, which puts them in a unique position to influence disaster preparation and response. By developing these strategies, nurses contribute significantly to communities' resilience in climate change, improving society's ability to respond and adapt to these challenges.

Investigate the efficiency of primary care facilities in emergency situations by application of geographical and demographic standards using GIS

Background

This study applied geographical standards (coverage distance) and demographic standards to investigate the capabilities of primary healthcare facilities to cover the largest area of the study area and the service area that can be accessed. This study was conducted to find out the sufficient number of primary healthcare (PHC) centers required to provide healthcare services to the entire community.

Methods

Data was obtained by applying geographic information system (GIS) techniques to analyze primary care facilities using the demographic and geographic standards for primary care facilities.

Results

PHC centers cover 79% of the study area according to the geographical standard. The study area needs 41 additional centers to cover the shortfall in service provision per the demographic and geographic standards.

Conclusions

A significant deficiency in the number of primary care centers found in the study area compared to the large population at the geographical and demographic standards level.

Integrating Inter-Professional Insights for Enhanced Disaster Response: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Jubail's Royal Commission Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate disaster preparedness and management among an inter-professional team at the Royal Commission Hospital (RCH) in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Conducted between May and July 2023, this cross-sectional study involved healthcare providers in both patient-facing and non-patient-facing roles. Participants responded to a comprehensive online questionnaire comprising 22 questions across seven sections covering aspects of emergency response, disaster management, and infection control. The study targeted a minimum sample size of 500 participants, successfully garnering responses from 512 individuals.

Results

Of the 512 participants, 59.9% (n=312) were healthcare providers in patient-facing roles, and 40.1% (n=209) were in non-patient-facing roles. The results revealed notable disparities in awareness and preparedness between these two groups. Healthcare providers demonstrated higher awareness levels compared to their non-patient-facing counterparts. For instance, 76.9% of healthcare providers were aware of the hospital's emergency response plan compared to 56.2% of non-healthcare providers (χ² = 52.165, p < 0.001). Similar disparities were observed in understanding the term "disaster" (86.5% vs 54.1%, χ² = 27.931, p < 0.001), and awareness of a command center (73.4% vs 45.2%, χ² = 42.934, p < 0.001).

Discussion

These findings underscore the critical need for enhancing awareness, education, and preparedness within healthcare facilities, emphasizing an integrated approach that includes both healthcare and non-healthcare staff. By addressing these gaps, healthcare facilities can significantly improve their emergency response efficiency, disaster management capabilities, and infection control measures, thereby enhancing the overall safety and quality of patient care.

Exploring the experiences, motivations, and skillsets of nurse volunteers during Hajj: implications for enhancing volunteer programs

BACKGROUND

The annual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world, necessitating the involvement of healthcare professionals, including nurse volunteers, to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees. This study aims to explore the experiences, motivations, and skillsets of nurse volunteers during the Hajj pilgrimage, focusing on the personal, professional, and spiritual dimensions of volunteering, and providing insights to enhance volunteer programs.

METHODS

The demographic data shows that the majority of nurse volunteers during Hajj 2022 fell in the 30-39 age group and were predominantly women. The study provides insights into the interest, experience, and motives for volunteering, with spiritual motives cited as a primary driver. An overview of volunteer hours, perceived benefits, and pre-existing skills reveals diverse commitments and skillsets among the volunteers.

RESULTS

Nurse volunteers during Hajj 2022 show diverse age and gender composition, strong commitment, spiritual motives, varied engagement, and professional skills. Team dynamics, skills development, and positive experiences are crucial. A potential gap exists in preparatory education. Significant associations are found between age, volunteer hours, training, skill practice, and gender.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the multifaceted benefits of volunteering during Hajj and underscores the need for decision-makers to devise strategies that cater to diverse needs, foster collaboration, and enhance the preparedness of nurse volunteers. Further research is suggested to examine the long-term impact of volunteering during Hajj on nurses' professional development and personal well-being and to evaluate the effectiveness of various recruitment strategies, training programs, and support initiatives.

Enhancing Nurses' Disaster Management and Preparedness: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Educational Program Through a Quasi-Experimental Study

Background

Disaster management is an ongoing international concern, and nurses play essential roles in minimizing negative impacts on the health of communities. However, many nurses have limited knowledge and skills on how to respond to disasters effectively. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a newly developed educational program on improving nurses' disaster management and preparedness.

Methods and Design

A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 88 nurses working at a public hospital. The educational program included six modules covering various aspects of disaster management. Pre-and post-tests were administered to evaluate changes in perceptions of disaster management competencies. Independent sample t-test, Pearson coefficient correlation, and One-way ANOVA tests were all run using SPSS.

Results

A significant proportion of nurses (78.4%) reported ongoing training in disaster management, while a smaller percentage (21.6%) expressed a contrary opinion. Nurses also had a moderate level of agreement with the disaster preparedness program (Pretest: 2.26 ± 0.34; post-test: 2.29 ± 0.31). Further, the results showed small improvements in nursing perceptions of the operational plan after the educational program (Pretest: M=2.76, SD=0.63; Post-test: M=2.89, SD=0.44), although the differences between pre-and-post assessments were not significant (P > 0.05). The mean values for overall familiarity in the pre-test were 3.16 ± 1.39, while in the post-test, they slightly increased to 3.26 ± 1.18. The findings also showed no statistically significant differences reported in nurses' attitudes and familiarity towards disaster preparedness based on the gender, marital status, nationality, working shifts, and working hours variables (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the significance of providing nurses with the essential knowledge that helps respond to disasters. Online educational programs can help improve nurses' preparedness to better manage disasters. Future research should investigate additional variables that could enhance nurses' knowledge and skills related to disaster response.

Nurse Perceptions of Knowledge and Preparedness for Disasters

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and perceptions of preparedness for disasters among nurses working in a tertiary university hospital.

METHOD

The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of nurses working in a university hospital in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey (n = 340). The sample included 183 nurses who were determined using the OpenEpi program and the universal sampling method. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form and the Disaster Preparedness Perception Scale in Nurses (DPPSN) and analyzed using SPSS 22 software.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 34.31 + 8.52 years; 83.1% were female, 66.1% had at least a bachelor's degree and worked in a surgical ward, 49.7% had been working for at least 11 years, and 58.5% had received training on disasters. Those who received disaster-related training received it mostly face to face (70.1%) from their institutions (91.6%) and in the form of 2-4 hours of training (75.7%); 52.5% had previously participated in a disaster-related drill, and 83.1% took on the role of caregiver during a disaster. The DPPSN mean score of the nurses involved in the study was found to be 3.53 ± 0.58 out of 5 points for the total scale.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study showed that nurses considered themselves partially adequate for disaster preparedness, in general.

A cross-sectional study of clinical emergency department nurses' occupational stress, job involvement and team resilience

INTRODUCTION

The occupational stress of clinical nurses has drawn increasing attention. It has been proven that occupational stress is related to job involvement, and job involvement affects team resilience. However, research on the relationship between emergency nurses' occupational stress, job involvement and team resilience is lacking.

AIM

To explore relationships between occupational stress, job involvement, and team resilience among a sample of emergency nurses and determined significant influencing factors of occupational stress in emergency departments.

METHODS

In four hospitals in Shandong, China, 187 emergency room nurses participated in a study. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Chinese version of the Stressors Scale for Emergency Nurses, and a scale for evaluating the team resilience of medical professionals were used to collect data.

RESULTS

The overall occupational stress score of nurses working in the emergency departments in Shandong province was 81.07 ± 25.80. The results of Single-factor analysis demonstrated that the scores indicating the occupational stress for emergency nurses differed significantly with respect to age, education level, marital status, children, professional title, work experience and work shift (P < 0.05). Additionally, there is a negative correlation between job involvement and team resilience and occupational stress. Multiple linear regression results showed that the job involvement, team resilience and work shift were statistically significant influencing factors of the level of occupational stress (change R2 = 17.5 %, F = 5.386, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Stronger team resilience and more active job involvement resulted in lower occupational stress levels experienced by emergency nurses.

Jordanian Nurses' Perceived Disaster Preparedness: Factors Influencing Successful Planning

Background

Current disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels need to be evaluated to guide plans to strengthen disaster readiness.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the Jordanian staff nurses' perception regarding their familiarity, attitudes, and practices for disaster preparedness (DP) to reduce the negative impacts of disasters.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study. The study was conducted on nurses working at governmental and private hospitals in Jordan. A convenience sample of 240 currently working nurses was recruited to participate in the study.

Results

The nurses were somewhat familiar with their role in DP (2.9 ± .84). The nurses' overall attitude towards DP was 2.2 ± 0.38, indicating that respondents had medium attitude levels. A low practice level for DP (1.59 ± 0.45) was also observed. Among the studied demographic variables, there was a significant relationship between experience and prior training with improved familiarity and practices. This indicates a need for strengthening nurses' practical skills as well as their theoretical knowledge. However, there is only a significant difference between attitude scale scores and disaster preparedness training (f = 10.120; p=0.002).

Conclusions

The study findings support the need for more training (academic and/or institutional) to increase and improve nursing disaster preparedness locally and globally.

Disaster health education framework for short and intermediate training in Saudi Arabia: A scoping review

Background

Saudi Arabia has made extensive efforts to manage disasters using unique national approaches; however, challenges and obstacles concerning disaster health handling persist. The nation has a reactive strategy to disaster management with a need for increased involvement of health professionals in disaster management and improvement of healthcare facilities emergency preparedness including competency-based education training.

Objective

A comprehensive and consistent approach of disaster education programs for short and intermediate training of health professionals involved in disaster responses in Saudi Arabia is still not evident. Therefore, it is vital to explore and map the current state of the disaster education framework in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The Joanna Briggs Institute approach for scoping reviews was used to assess research articles and preprints between January 2000 and September 2021 from Saudi Digital Library; PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Five experts identified key aspects of the disaster education approach and eligibility criteria to facilitate identification of relevant articles.

Results

Only five articles met the specified criteria and described two short and three intermediate courses on disaster health management in Saudi Arabia. All courses involved competency-specific training aimed at basic or foundational level and involved a range of activities and learning types. None had refresher courses within 12 months.

Conclusion

The review highlights the obvious scarcity of short and intermediate term evidence-based disaster health programs in Saudi Arabia. Adoption of the education framework proposed by the authors based on international frameworks could improve the quality and consistency of the disaster education curriculum in Saudi Arabia.

Disaster preparedness knowledge and its relationship with triage decision-making among hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses - Ardabil, Iran

Background

Hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses are at the forefront of disaster response. Disaster incidents continue to pose a threat to healthcare systems by exposing them to an overwhelming surge of patients.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 472 hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses in Ardabil province, in the northwest Iran, from March to April 2021, were recruited by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using valid and reliable self-reported questionnaires, including the Emergency Preparedness Information questionnaire (EPIQ) and Triage Decision-making Inventory (TDMI). Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 22) software using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient test, t-test, ANOVA test, and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

Emergency nurses’ disaster preparedness knowledge was low according to the mean score of total disaster preparedness knowledge. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis showed triage decision-making, age, residence, disaster preparedness training, working on duty during a disaster, and training organization variables were predictors of disaster preparedness knowledge in hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Emergency nurses who have higher disaster preparedness knowledge have higher triage decision-making skills. It is suggested that the managers of educational and medical centres and professional organizations provide favourable conditions for training and increasing disaster preparedness of emergency nurses according to their age and residence.

Response capability of hospitals to an incident caused by mass gatherings in southeast Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hospitals are expected to provide a safe environment for patients, visitors, and employees during emergencies and disasters, as well as provide health care to disaster survivors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response capability of hospitals to an incident caused by mass gatherings (MG) in Kerman province.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed among hospitals of Kerman city in 2021. To collect data, the emergency response checklist-WHO (2011) was utilized with 90 questions prepared in nine domains. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20 with descriptive tests.

RESULTS

In this incident, 438 people were injured and 61 killed (31 women and 30 men). Of the 438 injured taken to hospitals, 193 were treated on an outpatient basis, 146 were hospitalized and 99 were treated at Advanced Medical Post (AMP) and mobile hospital in the scene. Results showed a moderate response level of hospitals to an incidence (151.50±18.28). Among the components of hospitals' response to incidence, the command and control component had the highest mean score (159.16 ± 22.39) while the surge capacity component had the lowest mean score (129.78 ± 25.21).

CONCLUSION

Our hospitals faced new challenges in this incident; therefore, policymakers and executives managers of the health system in Iran should develop a comprehensive strategic plan to promote hospitals' preparedness for suitable and timely response to MG incidences and improve risk perception of mass gathering participants and hospitals personnel through training and implementing discussion and operation-based exercises.

A Cross-sectional Study About Nurses' and Physicians' Experience of Disaster Management Preparedness Throughout COVID-19

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess and compare nurses' and physicians' knowledge of disaster management preparedness. An effective health-care system response to various disasters is paramount, and nurses and physicians must be prepared with appropriate competencies to be able to manage the disaster events.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 636 nurses and 257 physicians were recruited from 1 hospital in Saudi Arabia. Of them, 608 (95.6%) nurses and 228 (83.2%) physicians completed self-administered, online questionnaires. The questionnaire assessed participants' sociodemographic data, and disaster management knowledge.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that participants had more knowledge regarding the disaster preparedness stage than mitigation and recovery stages. They also reported a need for advanced disaster training areas. A total of 10.1% of nurses' and 15.6% of physicians' overall knowledge is explained by their demographic and work-related characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Both nurses and physicians had to some extent knowledge regarding the information and practices required for disaster management process. It is proposed that hospital managers must look for opportunities to effectively adopt national standards to manage disasters and include nurses and physicians in major-related learning activities because experience has suggested a somewhat low overall perceived competence in managing disaster situations.

Factors affecting nurses' ability to provide effective care in a disaster response: a review

Disasters cause death, trauma, and psychological distress. Comprising the largest number of healthcare workers, nurses play a crucial role in reducing the impact of a disaster. The objective of this review is to identify the factors that influence nurses’ ability during a disaster emergency response to provide adequate care. This research was conducted by doing a literature search from the Pro-Quest and Science-Direct databases using the PRISMA-ScR to screen the articles. The final results included 13 articles. An analysis was performed to identify themes in line with the purpose of the review. All factors affecting nurses’ ability to respond to a disaster situation were classified into three themes: 1) factors increasing nurses’ ability, 2) barriers to delivering effective nursing care, and 3) support needed to maintain the nurses’ ability. During an emergency situation due to a disaster, adequate knowledge and skill to save lives, treat injuries, manage stress and coordinate between teams are the basic competencies needed for optimal care. Nurses’ clinical experience or previous disaster experience and training could increase nurses’ adaptability in disaster conditions. Support from nurses’ workplace and proper implementation of disaster management policy enhance nurses’ services and prevent barrier under disaster condition. The results emphasize that future training should aim for improving nurses’ knowledge and skills, including the knowledge of nurses’ family to protect themselves and deal with disasters. Such knowledge increased family preparedness, which is an important factor to enhance nurses’ willingness to work following a disaster.

Improving Disaster Readiness and the Response of Nurses in Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION

Nurses in Saudi Arabia face several challenges in all phases of disaster nursing, such as the infancy of the specialty and a lack of education, preparedness, research, and expertise in both the clinical field and in academics. Overcoming these challenges will help both nurses and the development of the specialty itself in aspects such as policies and procedures, education, and research. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore strategies for improving disaster nursing in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with a principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to identify the factors affecting disaster nursing in Saudi Arabia. The sample of the study was Saudi Arabian nurses, as they are first-line responders in disasters and pandemics.

RESULTS

From 800 distributed questionnaires, 569 completed questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 71%. The findings of the PCA revealed two components that can be extracted from the data. The first is preparedness, which involves 13 items related to the actions that must be taken before a disaster occurs, with a loading range of 0.82 to 0.70. The second factor is the action taken after a disaster occurs, and there are seven items with a loading range of 0.83 to 0.73.

CONCLUSION

For improved disaster nursing, it is essential to develop evaluation tools, create specific nursing legislation for disaster situations, provide personal protective equipment to nurses to minimize the risk of infection, and encourage nurses by appreciating their efforts to minimize their stress level during a disaster. It is also important to make sufficient supplies and equipment available to nurses during a disaster and provide them with psychological support while acknowledging the importance of contact with their families and friends.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Training of Health-Care Workers and Preparedness of Hospital Emergency Departments for the Threat of Communicable Diseases at Mass Gathering Events in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and training of health-care workers (HCW), and their perception of the preparedness of hospitals for communicable disease (CD) threats during mass gathering (MG) events.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from June 1 to July 31, 2019, of doctors and registered nurses working in the emergency departments (EDs) of 5 main hospitals in Qatar. A self-administered online survey was used for data collection.

RESULTS

The overall mean knowledge score about CD threat among study participants was 75.0% (SD ± 18.1). The majority of the participants had a favorable attitude toward CD preparedness during MG events. The participants achieved high scores in attending workshops on triaging, first aid, and infection control. Study participants as well had favorable perceptions about the current preparedness of their respective hospitals to respond to CD outbreaks in MG events.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants were knowledgeable about the risk of CD outbreaks during MG events (eg, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup games 2022) and had a favorable attitude and necessary training to respond to such outbreaks. Regular practice drills are necessary to ensure that all members of the workforce are knowledgeable of the necessary actions to take in emergent high-risk situations.

Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers' Mental Health

Background: The COVID-19 crisis has caused prolonged and extreme demands on healthcare services. This study investigates the types and prevalence of occupational disruptions, and associated symptoms of mental illness, among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Frontline healthcare workers were invited to participate via dissemination from major health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Data were collected on demographics, home and work situations, and validated scales of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout. Results: Complete responses were received from 7846 healthcare workers (82.4%). Most respondents were female (80.9%) and resided in the Australian state of Victoria (85.2%). Changes to working conditions were common, with 48.5% reporting altered paid or unpaid hours, and many redeployed (16.8%) or changing work roles (27.3%). Nearly a third (30.8%) had experienced a reduction in household income during the pandemic. Symptoms of mental illness were common, being present in 62.1% of participants. Many respondents felt well supported by their workplaces (68.3%) and believed that workplace communication was timely and useful (74.4%). Participants who felt well supported by their organisation had approximately half the risk of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, depression, burnout, and PTSD. Half (50.4%) of respondents indicated a need for additional training in using personal protective equipment and/or caring for patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Occupational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic occurred commonly in health organisations and were associated with worse mental health outcomes in the Australian health workforce. Feeling well supported was associated with significantly fewer adverse mental health outcomes. Crisis preparedness focusing on the provision of timely and useful communication and support is essential in current and future crises.

Development, Psychometric Testing, and Use of a Disaster Nursing Competency Scale in Iran: A Mixed Methods Study

Nurses play an important role during disaster response and recovery. Few tools are available to assess the relative competence of nurses in disaster. This study aimed to develop, test, and evaluate a disaster nursing competency scale. This was an exploratory mixed methods study. In the qualitative phase, 35 Iranian nurses and managers with experience in disaster relief were asked about the skills they need to respond effectively to a disaster event. From the qualitative data, a 50-item questionnaire was developed. In the quantitative phase, exploratory factor analysis was conducted with 400 samples followed by a test-retest reliability assessment with 30 nurses. The developed and validated instrument was applied to 200 nurses in Iran to assess their competency. From content analysis of the qualitative data, 5 main themes emerged. In the quantitative phase, exploratory factor analysis loaded 50 items into 4 domains named management, legal and ethical, specific personal, and technical competence. Use of the tool showed that nurses estimated their competence overall at 70.28%. Findings demonstrate the necessity for new domains in disaster nursing competencies; which may be applicable as a useful tool and guideline to improve nursing education and practice.

Perception and Attitude of Medical Staff in the Saudi Red Crescent Authority Toward their Preparedness for Disaster Management and Response

OBJECTIVE

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) plays a major role in the event of disasters and crisis, as it is the main pre-hospital health-care provider. This study reports on the attitude and perceptions of SRCA medical staff concerning their knowledge of disaster management and response.

METHOD

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study performed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An Arabic version of the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET), a self-administered Likert-scale survey, was used to obtain data from SRCA medical staff to evaluate the current status of disaster preparedness.

RESULTS

The population surveyed consisted of 302 participants; 20.9% had participated in a drill exercise or practical application of a regular disaster or emergency plan in their workplaces. Most of participants (85.3%) had incentives to extend their education regarding their role, scope of practice, and skills as medical staff in disaster situations.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate a lack of regular disaster drills available to prehospital care providers, although most of them are willing to participate in more training and education programs regarding preparedness for disaster management, especially concerning their role in a disaster situation.

Emergency department registered nurses overestimate their disaster competency: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Major incidents continue to pose a threat to health care systems by overwhelming them with a sudden surge of patients. A major factor impacting a hospital's surge capacity is the skills, abilities, and knowledge of emergency department (ED) registered nurses (RN). The level of disaster nursing competency they possess affects patient safety and outcome. ED RNs' ability to accurately assess their competency and knowledge is imperative for mitigating the effect of major incidents. ED RN's perception of overall disaster preparedness has not been thoroughly addressed. The aim of this study was to assess emergency department registered nurses' self-perceived disaster preparedness.

METHOD

The study was a cross-sectional study per the STROBE checklist. A self-assessment questionnaire based on the results of a study identifying specific disaster nursing competencies for ED RNs was distributed to all ED RNs at six participating hospitals between January 10th to February 19th of 2019. A five-point Likert-type scale was used to assess competency.

RESULTS

ED RNs' disaster preparedness according to the Total Disaster Competency mean was low. Furthermore, the results indicate that ED RNs' significantly overestimate their disaster nursing competency when compared to the Total Disaster Competency mean. Additionally, this study identified factors such as experience and education were positively associated with disaster preparedness and self-assessment ability.

CONCLUSION

ED RNs' overestimate their disaster preparedness. However, ED RNs with experience and education may be better prepared. ED RNs with formal disaster education appeared to have better insight concerning their preparedness. Clinical experience, advanced levels of education, and training were positively associated with preparedness. Overestimating disaster competencies may negatively impact patient outcomes during a major incident.

Identify the Disaster Nursing Training and Education Needs for Nurses in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Nursing is considered the healthcare profession with the most members. Emergency nurses constitute the first line of treatment in healthcare facilities when catastrophic events bring disaster victims in need of medical attention. Therefore, these nurses must be well educated and trained efficiently to be able to deal with disastrous situations properly. This study aimed to distinguish the most important elements of education and training for preparing emergency nurses to face disasters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), specifically, the city of Taif.

Methods

This study employed a tool to measure nurses’ most important training and education needs that was created by the authors based on a literature review and was approved by an expert panel in disaster nursing. Questionnaires were distributed to emergency nurses in four hospitals run by the Ministry of Health in Taif city. Survey responses were received from 210 participants, and the data were analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA). A one-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences between groups according to their experiences.

Results

The following three factors were extracted from the data after redundant items were loaded and excluded: incident management systems (IMSs), disaster triage, and disaster drills. Nurses with less than three years of experience have a significant need to learn about these elements in order to be able to cope with disasters.

Conclusion

Understanding different types of disasters and how to deal with these catastrophic events is crucial. Significant differences existed between ED nurses in their understanding of the basic elements of disaster management based on their level of experience in an ED. Therefore, disaster education must be included in nursing curricula, and more training courses, mock drills, and simulations must be conducted in hospitals for nurses, especially nurses with less experience, so they can learn to manage their responsibilities during disasters.

The Work Experience of Newly Recruited Male Nurses during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Purpose

This study was to investigate the work experience of newly recruited male nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

With a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study was adopted semistructured interviews by phone or video calls. A total of 9 male nurses newly recruited for the COVID-19 wards in Chinese hospitals were interviewed for this study. And Colaizzi's method was applied for evaluation in the data analysis.

Results

Based on our findings, three themes were extracted. First, the newly recruited male nurses showed negative emotions at the beginning of COVID-19 epidemic, which was caused by changes in working conditions and content, but also prompted the nurses to change the way of coping with the crisis. Second, they gradually mastered the working skills and psychological training to cope with COVID-19 and developed a positive attitude toward life and a high sense of professional responsibility. Finally, we learned about their needs to respond to public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

COVID-19 is a disaster for all of humanity. The newly recruited male nurses are an important force in emergency rescue. Although they suffered from short-term negative emotions, they quickly adapted to the crisis. In order to better prepare for future emergencies, the disaster response capacity of newly recruited male nurses needs to be further improved. In addition, newly recruited male nurses have a strong demand for timely and personalized career development guidance.

Preparedness assessment for managing disasters among nurses in an international setting: Implications for nurses

BACKGROUND

The increasing frequency of disastrous incidents emphasizes on the need of an instant and efficient healthcare services. This study assesses the level of preparedness among nurses in Medina regarding the disaster management, with respect to their knowledge.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study was conducted among five government hospitals in Medina. A total of 330 (94.3%) full-time nurses participated in this study. Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) was used to collect data. Data was then analyzed through descriptive statistics, Levene's test (an independent sample t-test), and One-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

Findings of the study indicated an average level of nurses' preparedness for disaster management (M = 3.37, SD 1.03). The difference found for all the preparedness dimensions with respect to level of nursing education was not significant except for familiarity with ethical issues and triage (p = 0.028), and familiarity with accessing critical resources (p = 0.05). Finally, a statistically significant difference was found in the total mean score of disaster preparedness dimensions between nurses who received training in disaster management and those who did not receive training (p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Based on the mean score from 10 factors the study concluded that majority of the nurses have an average level of preparedness for managing disaster situations. Therefore, providing proper education with respect to EPIQ dimensions to the nurses is thus suggested to increase their level of preparedness.

Safe intra-hospital care in context of vulnerability to socio-environmental disasters: implications for nursing

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the factors involved in safe intra-hospital care, in a context of vulnerability to socio-environmental disasters and their implications for nursing.

METHODS

a cross-sectional study of a descriptive and exploratory nature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 49 nursing professionals from a hospital in the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), which suffered a significant impact from a socio-environmental disaster in January 2011. Data were processed by software IRaMuTeQ.

RESULTS

aspects related to disaster assistance were presented through a thematic chunk with four classes, through descending hierarchical classification.

CONCLUSIONS

for better nursing response in socio-environmental disasters, in an intra-hospital setting, investments for training and continuing education should be prioritized; adequate provision and provision of human, material and technological resources; psychological support for professionals after such events; appropriation of nursing competencies for the development of advanced practices in disasters and effective risk management.

Factors Affecting the Decontamination Process in Hospitals in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Hospitals face various types of disasters that require either decontamination or disinfection interventions. These contaminants can be chemical, biological, radioactive, or infectious, such as COVID-19. Further, there are few studies in the literature on factors affecting decontamination in hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Approximately 157 healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and other specialists) participated in this study. Principle component analysis was used to explore three factors in Saudi Arabia that affect the ability of healthcare providers to decontaminate appropriately.

Results

Three factors were extracted: (1) having adequate skills to perform decontamination, (2) being adequately prepared for decontamination before a disaster occurs, and (3) organizational barriers to decontamination. There was a positive correlation between the skills and preparedness and a negative correlation between barriers and both skills and preparedness.

Discussion

It is essential to prepare for decontamination during disasters more effectively and to ensure that all healthcare providers have the requisite skills. Moreover, barriers to decontamination must be investigated thoroughly to improve implementation.

Cohort research analysis of disaster experience, preparedness, and competency-based training among nurses

Introduction

It is expected that in unforeseen situations, nurses will provide appropriate medical interventions, using their expertise and skills to reduce the risks associated with the consequences of disasters. Consequently, it is crucial that they are properly prepared to respond to such difficult circumstances. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the basic competences of nurses in disasters.

Materials and methods

The survey was directed to 468 nurses from all medical centres in Lublin. IBM SPSS Statistics version 23 was used for statistical analyses, frequency analysis, basic descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. The classical statistical significance level was adopted as α = 0.05.

Results

Based on the logistic regression analysis, it was found that work experience, workplace preparedness, as well as training and experience in disaster response are important predictors of preparedness.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the nurses' core competencies for these incidents can be improved through education and training programmes which increase their preparedness for disasters. Nurses are among the most important groups of healthcare professionals facing a disaster and should be involved in all phases of disaster management, such as risk assessment and pre-disaster planning, response during crisis situations and risks’ mitigation throughout the reconstruction period.

Experiences of nurses involved in natural disaster relief: A meta-synthesis of qualitative literature

AIM

To explore nurses' experiences in natural disaster response.

BACKGROUND

Nurses are key to disaster response. There is a growing body of qualitative research exploring this emerging nursing issue. However, there is a need to synthesise and summarise this body of knowledge to identify the overarching elements of how nurses experience working in disaster situations to reflect on their experiences so that we may help shape future clinical practice, research and education.

DESIGN

Qualitative meta-synthesis.

METHOD

Following PROSPERO guidelines (Moher et al., 2015), an exhaustive and systematic literature search and quality appraisal was undertaken in December 2019 to reveal nurses' experiences during natural disaster response. Sandelowski and Barroso's systematic retrieval, analysis and interpretation of findings method was used to produce a meta-summary of findings from 10 papers evaluating experiences across 9 disasters. A meta-aggregation was used to synthesise the findings from the studies and was methodically quality assessed with PRISMA and CASP.

RESULTS

Our findings aggregated data from 42 sub-themes, into the following four themes to capture nurses' experiences after responding to disasters. These included agile response; leadership and innovative problem solving; building resilience; positive communication and need for psychological/emotional support.

DISCUSSION

This meta-synthesis provides evidence to illustrate nurses' resilience and leadership capabilities as means to manage and perceive their disaster relief response. Factors such as emotional intelligence, capacity to react to changing situations, to manage scant resources in extreme situations were highlighted in nurses practising in highly stressful environments. Managers can use these examples to support ways to improve disaster management policies, but also, to engage in support for their staff.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The role of nursing staff in disaster rescue is receiving significant attention. Understanding nurses' experiences during disaster rescue can help future leaders to improve capacity to respond and nursing preparedness through education, training and management, but also for continuing emotional support after the event.

Emergency Healthcare Providers' Perceptions of Preparedness and Willingness to Work during Disasters and Public Health Emergencies

This study evaluates the perceptions of preparedness and willingness to work during disasters and public health emergencies among 213 healthcare workers at hospitals in the southern region of Saudi Arabia by using a quantitative survey (Fight or Flight). The results showed that participants’ willingness to work unconditionally during disasters and emergencies varied based on the type of condition: natural disasters (61.97%), seasonal influenza pandemic (52.58%), smallpox pandemic (47.89%), SARS/COVID-19 pandemic (43.56%), special flu pandemic (36.15%), mass shooting (37.56%), chemical incident and bombing threats (31.92%), biological events (28.17%), Ebola outbreaks (27.7%), and nuclear incident (24.88%). A lack of confidence and the absence of safety assurance for healthcare workers and their family members were the most important reasons cited. The co-variation between age and education versus risk and danger by Spearman’s rho confirmed a small negative correlation between education and danger at a 95% level of significance, meaning that educated healthcare workers have less fear to work under dangerous events. Although the causes of unsuccessful management of disasters and emergencies may vary, individuals’ characteristics, such as lack of confidence and emotional distractions because of uncertainty about the safety issues, may also play a significant role. Besides educational initiatives, other measures, which guarantee the safety of healthcare providers and their family members, should be established and implemented.

The Impact of Receiving Pretravel Health Advice on the Prevention of Hajj-Related Illnesses Among Australian Pilgrims: Cohort Study

Background

Pretravel health advice can play a crucial role in improving both travelers’ awareness about disease risk and compliance with preventive measures. General practitioners (GPs) and the internet have been reported internationally to be the main sources of health advice for travelers to non–mass gathering (MG) destinations. However, few studies have attempted to investigate the sources of health advice among travelers to MGs including the Hajj pilgrimage, and none of these studies further investigated the impact of pretravel advice on pilgrims’ health behaviors.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the source of pretravel health advice (from GPs and specialized Hajj travel agents) on Hajj pilgrims’ awareness of and compliance with health recommendations, and the incidence of Hajj-associated illnesses.

Methods

A prospective cohort study (before and during Hajj) was conducted among Australian pilgrims aged ≥18 years in 2015.

Results

A total of 421 pilgrims participated prior to Hajj, and 391 (93%) provided follow-up data during Hajj. All participants obtained pretravel health advice from one or more sources, with Hajj travel agents (46%) and general practitioners (GPs; 40%) the most commonly reported sources. In total, 288 (74%) participants reported Hajj-related symptoms, of which 86% (248/288) were respiratory symptoms. Participants who obtained pretravel health advice from travel agents were more likely to be aware of the official Saudi recommendations (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8; P=.01), receive recommended vaccines before travel (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-3.9; P=.01), use hand sanitizers including soap (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-6.1; P=.03), and wash their hands after touching an ill person during Hajj (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.1; P=.01), compared to those who sought advice from GPs. However, neither advice from travel agents nor GPs was associated with a lower incidence of Hajj-related illnesses.

Conclusions

Advice from travel agents appeared to be accessed by more travelers than that from GPs, and was associated with an increased likelihood of positive travel health behaviors.

Disaster Knowledge, Skills, and Preparedness Among Nurses in Bengkulu, Indonesia: A Descriptive Correlational Survey Study

INTRODUCTION

Registered nurses have to adequately prepare to respond to disasters, as they have become increasingly frequent worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing registered nurses' disaster preparedness in Bengkulu, Indonesia.

METHODS

This study used a descriptive correlational study design. A total of 130 registered nurses working in 2 governmental hospitals in Bengkulu, Indonesia, were recruited by using a convenience sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire, the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool, was used to determine their current levels of registered nurses' disaster preparedness.

RESULTS

The registered nurses reported a moderate level of disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness. Their knowledge and skills were significantly correlated with disaster preparedness (r = 0.39-0.71, P < 0.01). Three significant factors associated with disaster preparedness were identified in this study: educational level, disaster knowledge, and disaster skills (R² = 0.31, F = 12.60, P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Continuing disaster drills training and implementing a formal disaster educational program into nursing curriculum and professional development are recommended to achieve effective disaster preparedness in the hospital setting.

Stress, Workplace Violence, and Burnout in Nurses Working in King Abdullah Medical City During Al-Hajj Season

Background:

The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, is associated with various challenges for nurses. One of these challenges is increased levels of workplace violence. Therefore, handling and mitigating workplace violence against nurses during Hajj, when nurses face a higher risk of violence and most experience stress and burnout, is of particular importance.

Purpose:

The aims of this study were to identify the types and sources of workplace violence, examine the relationship between burnout in nurses and the variables of stress and workplace violence, and identify from the perspective of nurses measures to effectively handle and mitigate these issues during Hajj season.

Methods:

This study used a descriptive correlational design. A convenience sample of 118 nurses completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the modified version of the Joint Programme on Workplace Violence in the Health Sector published by the International Labour Office in Geneva. Data analysis was done using an independent samples t test and Pearson product–moment correlation.

Results:

One hundred eighteen nurses completed the study. Over two thirds (65%) were female, and 56% reported experiencing at least one type of violence, of which bullying/mobbing, racial harassment, threats, and physical violence accounted for 61%, 15%, 12%, and 12%, respectively. Nurse managers displayed violent behaviors against 54% of the participants. Participants reported high levels of stress and burnout. A positive relationship was found between stress and emotional exhaustion (r = .387, p < .01). Providing effective security measures and staff training regarding how to deal with violence at the workplace were the main measures identified to help reduce workplace violence.

Conclusions:

Providing effective security measures and tailored intervention programs addressing how to deal with violence in the workplace may enable nurses to handle violent behaviors more effectively.

The knowledge, skill competencies, and psychological preparedness of nurses for disasters: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Disasters and the magnitude of destruction are increasing worldwide. Nurses constitute the largest number of healthcare providers and have major roles in disaster response and care. They need to have sufficient knowledge, skill competencies, and preparedness in responding to disasters. This review aimed to evaluate nursing preparedness to disasters in terms of knowledge, skill competencies, and psychological preparedness to disasters.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted from recent research articles published between 2001 and 2018, which included searches from five databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Medline, and ScienceDirect. Quality of the selected studies was assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and the review results were generated through an iterative narrative process of synthesis to identify common themes.

RESULTS

Twelve studies, with a total of 1443 nurses involved, met the inclusion criteria. The articles revealed the need for further development of disaster preparedness of nurses in the aspects of knowledge and skill competencies; and in particular with more focus on the education of nurses to achieve better psychological preparedness.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review showed that it is important to enhance the psychological preparedness of nurses, in addition to knowledge and skill competencies, so that they can provide the best care possible to affected individuals as well as for themselves.

Factors associated with healthcare workers willingness to participate in disasters: a cross-sectional study in Sana'a, Yemen

OBJECTIVES

Willingness to participate in disasters is usually overlooked and not addressed in disaster preparedness training courses to ensure health service coverage. This will lead to issues during the disaster's response. This study, therefore, aims to assess healthcare workers willingness to participate in biological and natural disasters, and to identify its associated factors.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 1093 healthcare workers. The data were analysed using multiple logistic regression with significance level p<0.05. Ethical clearance and consent of the participants were duly obtained.

SETTING

In three public hospitals that provide tertiary-level healthcare in Sana'a City, Yemen.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 692 nurses and doctors (response rate 63.3%) completed the questionnaires.

RESULTS

Almost half of the participants 55.1% were nurses and 44.9% were doctors. The study found that self-efficacy was associated with willingness to participate in disaster response for any type of disasters (OR 1.319, 95% CI 1.197 to 1.453), natural disasters (OR 1.143, 95% CI 1.069 to 1.221) and influenza pandemic (OR 1.114, 95% CI 1.050 to 1.182). The results further show that willingness is associated with healthcare workers being young, male and having higher educational qualifications.

CONCLUSION

Self-efficacy has been found to be an important factor associated with willingness. Improving self-efficacy through training in disaster preparedness may increase willingness of healthcare workers to participate in a disaster.

Effect of education using the virtual social network on the knowledge and attitude of emergency nurses of disaster preparedness: A quasi-experiment study

BACKGROUND

Nurses play an important role in helping people to cope with disasters. Dealing with disasters requires proper knowledge, attitudes and skills that can be achieved through education. Education through virtual social networks as a method of distance education can be used due to its accessibility and ease of use.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of education using the virtual social network on the knowledge and attitude of emergency nurses of disaster preparedness.

DESIGN

This was a pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental study with a control group.

SETTING

The study was conducted in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 60 nurses (n = 30 nurses in each group) participated in this study. Before the study, they signed the informed consent form.

METHODS

They were selected using a census method and were divided into two control (n = 30) and intervention groups (n = 30). Data was collected before and after the intervention using the disaster preparedness questionnaire. The intervention group received 34-session education of disaster preparedness via the virtual social network (Telegram application). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via the SPSS v.22 software.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was reported between the groups regarding the pretest knowledge score, but the posttest knowledge score was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, knowledge scores significantly increased at the posttest compared to the pretest (p < 0.01). No a similar condition happened in the control group. While the posttest attitude score was higher than the pretest attitude score, it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase in the knowledge score of the intervention group was reported compared to the control group indicating the effectiveness of learning through the virtual social network. Also, the high level of attitude scores before and after education indicated the positive attitude of emergency nurses toward the need for disaster preparedness.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency department staff towards disaster and emergency preparedness at tertiary health care hospital in central Saudi Arabia

Objectives:

To assess the knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding disaster and emergency preparedness among Emergency Department (ED) staff.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Tertiary health care hospital in central Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered survey was utilized to collect data from ED physicians and nurses. The questionnaire was divided into 5 sections viz; demographics, knowledge about disaster management and preparedness, attitudes about disaster planning, current role and practices, and familiarity towards emergency.

Results:

A 189 participants have completed the questionnaire. Two-third of the participants were below 30 years, and more than 85% were female. One hundred and eleven (58.7%) had a clinical experience of more than 5 years, while 78 (41.3%) participants had more than 3 years of clinical service at the Tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Correct responses of knowledge towards disaster and emergency preparedness score was 6.2±2.5. Participants with more than 5-years of experience had a statistically significant (p=0.009) knowledge scale score for disaster and emergency preparedness. Overall, 186 (98.4%) patients believed that training is necessary for all healthcare workers. Approximately 153 (81%) participants reported the conduct of disaster drill at their hospital. The mean score (Mean±SD) for the overall familiarity of the study participants with emergency preparedness information questionnaire (EPIQ) scale was 3.2±1.3.

Conclusion:

The level of knowledge was satisfactory among healthcare providers with neutral level of attitude, practice, and familiarity regarding disaster preparedness. Follow-up research is necessary for maximizing ED preparedness.

Emergency and disaster management training; knowledge and attitude of Yemeni health professionals- a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Medical professionals together with other first responder teams are the first to attend an emergency or disaster. Knowledge and training in emergency and disaster preparedness are important in responding effectively. This study aims to assess the current knowledge, attitude and training in emergency and disaster preparedness among Yemeni health professionals.

METHOD

A descriptive, cross-sectional, non-probability based study was conducted in Yemen using self-reported on-line and paper surveys in 2017. A total of 531 health professionals responded. The Chi-Square test was used to identify any significant difference in the knowledge and attitude of the professional categories. The p-value of <0.05 was used as a statistical significant.

RESULTS

The overall knowledge status of Yemeni health professionals was insufficient with regards to emergency and disaster preparedness. Of all respondents, 32.0% had good knowledge, 53.5% had fair and 14.5% exhibited poor knowledge. The educational level was a key factor in the knowledge gap amongst respondents. Regardless of the period of experience, postgraduate staff were more knowledgeable than graduates. Physicians were better in knowledge than other subgroups of health specialties. Health administrators seemed insufficiently qualified in emergency and disaster planning. Medical teachers performed better in responding to knowledge test than managers. However, the majority of study respondents appeared in the 'positive attitudes' level to emergency and disaster preparedness. 41.0% of all respondents had received no courses in disaster preparedness. The trained staff used NGOs, and online-related programs more frequently for learning disaster planning (15.7%, and 13.6%) respectively. In contrast, formal resources such as MoPHP, health facility, medical schooling programs were used by (10.2%, 9.6, and 7.3%) of respondents, respectively. 58.9% of respondents had not participated in any exercise in emergency and disaster preparedness. Of all respondents, triage and mass causality response exercises were attended by only (13.5%, and 9.7%) respectively.

CONCLUSION

The absence of teaching programs is a major issue in the lack of knowledge of health professionals regarding disaster preparedness. Thus, emergency and disaster preparedness has to be included in the primary medical school curricula and continuing medical education programs of the health facilities. Long-term formal training such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs is necessary. Operational simulations enrolled key personnel of multi-agencies focus on an organizational training rather than individual based training are recommended.