Investigation of Factors Affecting Disaster Preparedness Beliefs Among Public Institution Employees: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Disasters affect the whole society, may cause great loss of life and property and may threaten public health at a significant level all over the world. The aim of this study is to reveal the disaster preparedness beliefs of public employees and effective factors. Methods: This study was conducted with a total of 322 public employees. The data were collected faceto-face between June-September 2023 with the General Disaster Preparedness Belief scale developed based on the Health Belief Model and a descriptive form. Results: The total score of general disaster preparedness belief was 106.80 +/- 17.42. There was no significant difference was found between the socio-demographic characteristics of the employees and the total scale score, and the disaster preparedness belief, motivation and obstacles to disaster preparedness were found to be high in those who were not prepared for disaster, did not have an emergency/disaster kit and did not receive disaster training. Conclusion: General Disaster Preparedness Belief score of public employees is close to the middle level. Public employees have high perceptions of obstacles related to disaster preparedness. The perception of barriers should be reduced and the perception of benefits should be increased in this group with high level of education.