Attitude of Healthcare workers towards Disaster Management practices in a Hospital of Gujarat

Abstract

Background: Effective management of a disaster requires preparedness and appropriate attitude of healthcare workers.Attitude of the healthcare workers will impact their response during any emergency situation coping. This study wasconducted to assess overall attitude towards disaster management among the healthcare staff of 650 bedded hospital inNorth Gujarat region.Methodology: This is a cross sectional survey study carried out on 201 healthcare staff of the hospital under study. Thedata was collected through an online questionnaire consisting the demographic details of the participants and followedby questions regarding the attitude of participants toward disaster management and disaster management practices in thehospital. Data was coded and analysed with MS Excel and SPSS.Result: From the responses we received, it was conclude that 45.8% staff of the study hospital have taken the trainingfor disaster management and 44.8% staff have faced disaster during their work experience at the hospital. Among therespondents, majority are students (56.2%), nursing staff (25.4%), doctors (11.9%) and others (6.5%). Looking to theirperception, 39.3% staff believes that the disaster preparedness in the hospital is sufficient, 22% says it is insufficient while38.8% have neutral response.Conclusion: Attitude of health care workers towards disaster management is very important as it impacts their responseduring any emergency situation. Study showed the awareness regarding the disaster occurrence and vulnerability of thehospital and health care workers’ attitude requires improvement. Which can be positively impacted by trainings, mockdrills,making them aware about their roles during a disaster and disaster policy related information.