| Institution: | 1. College of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia;2. Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research (CNMR), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia;3. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan;4. Peking Union Medical College School of Nursing, Beijing;5. Department of Hospital Services, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia;6. Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Horiara, Solomon Islands;7. School of Nursing, University of Health Sciences, Lahore;8. Department of Health Care, Ministry of Health, Laos, LAO PDR;9. National Center for Health Professional Education, Tribhuvan University, Maharajgunj, Nepal;10. Department of Preventative Medicine Department, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia;11. National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands;12. College of Nursing, Dhaka University, Dhake, Bangladesh;13. School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, China;14. School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia;15. College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia |
| Abstract: | Healthcare workers who have received disaster preparedness education are more likely to report a greater understanding of disaster preparedness. However, research indicates that current nursing curricula do not adequately prepare nurses to respond to disasters. This is the first study to assess Asia–Pacific nurses' perceptions about their level of disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 757 hospital and community nurses in seven Asia–Pacific countries. Data were collected using the modified Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool. Participants were found to have overall low‐to‐moderate levels of disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness, wherein important gaps were identified. A majority of the variance in disaster preparedness scores was located at the level of the individual respondent, not linked to countries or institutions. Multilevel random effects modelling identified disaster experience and education as significant factors of positive perceptions of disaster knowledge, skills, and management. The first step toward disaster preparedness is to ensure frontline health workers are able to respond effectively to disaster events. The outcomes of this study have important policy and education implications. |
