Effectiveness of Disaster Risk Management Training on Knowledge, Willingness and Perceived Competencies among Nursing Students in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Disaster Risk Reduction training have beneficial effect on preparing nursing students to respond to public health emergencies like disasters. Thus, this study evaluated the effectiveness of disaster risk management training on knowledge, willingness, and competencies among nursing students.

Methods: A single group pre-test and post-test design was adopted among 70 nursing students selected through complete enumeration technique from a nursing college. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of Institute of Medicine (IOM). Data was collected by using validated tool (Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET) in English version. Prior to training, pre–test was done. Participants received a total of 18 hours of disaster risk management training over three days. After 8 weeks of training, post-test was conducted. Data were entered into SPSS-20 version and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (independent-test) to assess the differences in mean score for knowledge, willingness and perceived competencies before and after the training.

Results: The overall mean score for disaster risk management increased from 3.86 ± 0.65 in pre-test to 4.87 ± 0.56 in post-test, with statistical significant difference (p<0.001). After intervention statistically significant difference was found in all domains of DPET-K scale which includes Pre-disaster stage (Disaster knowledge and information), Bio-terrorism & Emergency response, Mitigation, Disaster stage and Disaster response, Recovery Post-disaster stage and Family preparedness.

Conclusions: Disaster Risk Reduction training have increased score on all five domain of  DPET-K scale among  nursing students which emphasize the need for periodical short term training on  disaster management.