Select Demographic Data, Disaster-Related Experience, and Disaster Attitudes as Predictors of Disaster Preparedness Among Student Nurses: A Descriptive Correlational Study.

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the critical need to enhance disaster preparedness among nurses and nursing students due to concerns over their current levels of competency in disaster management.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of demographic characteristics, disaster-related experience, and attitudes toward disasters on the disaster preparedness of nursing students.

Design: A descriptive correlational design was employed to examine the relationships between selected variables and disaster preparedness.

Methods: A total of 235 nursing students participated in the study, selected through cluster sampling. Data were collected using Google Forms, incorporating demographic questions and three validated scales: Adapted Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET), Adapted Measurement of the Severity of Disaster Experience, and Adapted Attitudes toward Disaster Management Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation Coefficient using SPSS Version 23.0.

Results: The findings revealed statistically insignificant correlations between disaster preparedness and several demographic variables, namely: year level (r = -0.069, p = 0.292), monthly household income (r = 0.004, p = 0.957), and type of housing (r = 0.106, p = 0.104), and NSTP component taken (r = -0.015, p = 0.822). Additionally, disaster attitude (r = 0.091, p = 0.163) was not significantly associated with disaster preparedness among nursing students. However, disaster experience showed a significant relationship with disaster preparedness (r = 0.979, p = 0.001). This finding highlights the critical role of firsthand disaster exposure in shaping students' readiness to respond effectively to emergencies which suggests that experiential learning opportunities, such as disaster simulations or active participation in disaster response efforts, may be more effective in enhancing preparedness than demographic factors or classroom-based training alone.

Conclusion: The authors concluded that demographic factors and attitudes towards disasters were not significantly associated with disaster preparedness among nursing students. However, the findings revealed a positive relationship between previous disaster experiences and disaster preparedness of the participants, suggesting that firsthand exposure to disasters enhances preparedness. Future research should explore additional factors through qualitative and longitudinal approaches. Targeted educational interventions are recommended to address specific gaps identified in this study.