The effect of educational intervention on nurses' preparedness in emergencies and disasters

Background and Aim: Nurses as pioneers people in community health and treatment, they have an important role in coordinating and helping injured people at the time of the disaster. Improvement of their preparedness is one of the basic principles of health management in accidents and disasters. Therefore, the aim of this study has been done to determine the effect of educational intervention on nurses' preparedness in accidents and disasters Materials and Methods: In this single-group quasi experimental, (pre-test, post-test and follow-up), 75 nurses working in hospitals in Birjand were selected by the stratified random sampling method was used. The nurses participated in a disaster risk management workshop for 16 hours during 2 days in a round table exercise. Demographic data form and standard questionnaire of nurses' preparedness and responsiveness to the disasters were completed before, immediately and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 16), and statistical analysis of intra group variance, Bonferroni post hoc test and chisquare tests, independent t-test, One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's range post hoc test were performed at a significance level of (0.05). Results: The mean score of nurses' preparedness before intervention out of 10 scores was 6/47±0/87 and their total mean score of ability and attitude towards disasters before intervention of 5 scores was 3/19±0/72 and 3/28±0/41 respectively. The average total score of preparedness and in the area of empowerment in nurses immediately and one month after intervention than before and the mean score of attitude one month after the intervention was significantly higher than before (p <0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, the educational program had a significant effect on increasing nurses' preparedness in accidents and disasters. It is recommended that nursing managers to improve nursing staff readiness, conduct continuous training courses with maneuvers.