Determination of General Disaster Preparedness Beliefs of Students Studying at a Foundation University Health Services Vocational School

Abstract

The research was carried out to determine the general disaster preparedness belief of university students. The descriptive study was conducted with students from a foundation university health services vocational school in Ankara, between 20-30 May 2019. While the total population of the study was 748 students studying at the college, no sample selection was made and the study was comleted with 400 students(53% of the universe) who were in the school at the time of the study and agreed to participate in the research. The data collection tools are the questionnaire form and the general disaster preparedness faith scale (cronbach alpha: 0.81) used to determine the descriptive characteristics of students and the factors affecting their general disaster preparedness belief. In statistical analysis of data, number, mean, percentage, standard deviation, kolmogorov smirnov normality test, independent sample t test and one-way ANOVA test were used. Necessary permissions and ethical approval were obtained to conduct the research. The researchis based on self-report. Written consent was obtained from the participants. It was determined that 74% of the students were women, 88.8% were in the 17-22 age group and 34.5% were in the First and Emergency Aid section. Total disaster preparedness belief scale of the students was determined as 111.57±12.36. A statistically significant difference between students’ overall disaster preparedness belief scale total score average and prior education about disasters, having knowledge about emergency/disaster plan at school, being prepared for emergency/disasters, and knowing the point of meeting in case of emergency/disaster at school there was a difference (p<0.05). İt was observed that the students' general disaster preparedness belief level score was above average and female students were higher than male students. It has been determined that the belief that students who are trained in disaster preparedness for disaster is higher than those who do not receive disaster education. In this respect, it is recommended to organize informative and awareness-raising training programs about emergency and disaster management in universities, to put them in the curriculum, to use visual posters, simulators and to prepare for disaster prepared exercises.