Matsuo Y, Hirano M. Effectiveness of disaster preparedness education in helping older people prevent isolation.
Public Health Nurs 2021;
38:837-849. [PMID:
33876508 DOI:
10.1111/phn.12911]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study intends to clarify the effect of regional disaster preparedness education on efforts to prevent the isolation of older people in the event of a disaster.
DESIGN AND SAMPLE
This quasi-experimental study involved participants aged 65 and above. The intervention group (n = 35) and the comparison group (n = 61) were compared in the first survey and another one month later.
MEASUREMENTS
The survey items assessed aspects such as awareness of and actions related to isolation preparedness, and awareness of support needed by others in the event of a disaster. The results were compared between the two groups.
INTERVENTION
The educational program was based on the transtheoretical model of health behavior change and focused on preventing isolation in the event of a disaster, by connecting vulnerable people with their neighbors. Puppet shows and group work were used as part of the program.
RESULTS
A month after the program implementation, the intervention group had significantly higher awareness of and actions related to isolation preparedness than the comparison group.
CONCLUSIONS
Disaster preparedness education invokes a responsibility toward the prevention of isolation in the disaster and perceives it as a community issue and encourages individuals to support others.
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