A study to assess the knowledge and attitude on disaster preparedness among people residing in selected areas of Davangere, Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Any incident cause an unexpected number of deaths, injury or illness called as disaster. During such instance may destroy local health infrastructure that intern need a team to respond to the emergency. It disrupts the provision of routine health services and preventive activities leading to long-term health consequences in terms of increased morbidity, mortality, adverse effect on the environment, potential risk of communicable diseases and environment hazards. Methods: The conceptual framework for the study is based on general system theory as capsulated by Von. Background: Any incident cause an unexpected number of deaths, injury or illness called as disaster. During such instance may destroy local health infrastructure that intern need a team to respond to the emergency. It disrupts the provision of routine health services and preventive activities leading to long-term health consequences in terms of increased morbidity, mortality, adverse effect on the environment, potential risk of communicable diseases and environment hazards. Ludwig Bertalanfly. The study is based on quantitative research approach; descriptive research design. Structured knowledge questionnaire and attitude checklist was used for the collection of the data. The research variable refers to knowledge and attitude on disaster preparedness and the socio-demographic variable age, gender, educational qualification, occupation, site of house, attending mock drill on disaster preparedness, and source of information. Study sample were selected by Purposive sampling technique and the collected data was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study finds that in socio-demographic variables, maximum sample were belongs to 20-24years, females were major subjects, they are studied secondary education, maximum were lying in high areas, and they got receive information maximum from friends and relatives. In relation with knowledge score mean was 13.11 and SD 2.83, and maximum 55% had good level of knowledge, in attitude score mean was 72.33 and SD 10.60. Conclusion: Study was concluded that there is a good level of knowledge and favourable attitude towards disaster preparedness, so administrative officials should take initiation to promote the training to community people how to manage disaster situations, that will benefit the overall society in case of emergency.