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Disaster Preparedness and Awareness among University Students: A Structural Equation Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Students have long been among those most emotionally and physically affected by natural or manmade disasters, yet universities and colleges continue to lack effective disaster response and mitigation practices. This research identifies how students' socio-demographics and disaster preparedness indicators (DPIs) impact their awareness of the dangers of disasters and their ability to survive and cope with the changes that disasters bring. A comprehensive survey was designed and distributed to university students to gain an in-depth understanding of their perceptions of disaster risk reduction factors. A total of 111 responses were received, and the impact of the socio-demographics and DPIs on the students' disaster awareness and preparedness were evaluated by employing structural equation modeling. The results indicate that the university curriculum impacts the disaster awareness of students while the establishment of university emergency procedures impacts the disaster preparedness of students. The purpose of this research is to enable university stakeholders to identify the DPIs that are important to the students so that they can upgrade their programs and design effective DRR courses. It will also aid policymakers in redesigning effective emergency preparedness policies and procedures.

SUBMITTER: Patel RK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10001636 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Disaster Preparedness and Awareness among University Students: A Structural Equation Analysis.

Patel Ronik Ketankumar RK Pamidimukkala Apurva A Kermanshachi Sharareh S Etminani-Ghasrodashti Roya R

International journal of environmental research and public health 20230302 5

Students have long been among those most emotionally and physically affected by natural or manmade disasters, yet universities and colleges continue to lack effective disaster response and mitigation practices. This research identifies how students' socio-demographics and disaster preparedness indicators (DPIs) impact their awareness of the dangers of disasters and their ability to survive and cope with the changes that disasters bring. A comprehensive survey was designed and distributed to univ ...[more]

PMID: 36901454

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Project description:Background and objectivesPatients with ESRD on dialysis live in a complex sociomedical situation and are dependent on technology and infrastructure, such as transportation, electricity, and water, to sustain their lives. Interruptions of this infrastructure by natural disasters can result in devastating outcomes.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsBetween November of 2013 and April of 2014, a cross-sectional survey was conducted of patients who received maintenance hemodialysis before and after the landfall of Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 in lower Manhattan, New York. The primary outcome was the number of missed dialysis sessions after the storm. Dialysis-specific and general disaster preparedness were assessed using checklists prepared by the National Kidney Foundation and US Homeland Security, respectively.ResultsIn total, 598 patients were approached, and 357 (59.7%) patients completed the survey. Participants were 60.2% men and 30.0% black, with a median age of 60 years old; 94 (26.3%) participants missed dialysis (median of two sessions [quartile 1 to quartile 3 =1-3]), and 236 (66.1%) participants received dialysis at nonregular dialysis unit(s): 209 (58.5%) at affiliated dialysis unit(s) and 27 (7.6%) at emergency rooms. The percentages of participants who carried their insurance information and detailed medication list were 75.9% and 44.3%, respectively. Enhancement of the dialysis emergency packet after the hurricane was associated with a significantly higher cache of medical records at home at follow-up survey (P<0.001, Fisher's exact test). Multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed that dialysis-specific preparedness (incidence rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.87 to 0.98), other racial ethnicity (incidence rate ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.57), dialysis treatment in affiliated units (incidence rate ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 0.94), and older age (incidence rate ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 0.99) were associated with a significantly lower incidence rate ratio of missed dialysis.ConclusionsThere is still room to improve the preparedness for natural disasters of patients with ESRD. Provider- or facility-oriented enhancement of awareness of the disease and preparedness should be a priority.

Project description:BackgroundCollege and university students were an important population group of blood donors, especially in the current situation of tight blood supply. This study aimed to investigate the current status and determinants of blood donation among this population group in Wuhan using a structural equation model.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study involving 12 colleges and universities in Wuhan, China, including 5168 students. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, knowledge about blood donation, and attitude toward blood donation were treated as latent variables, with blood donation as the observed variable. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using the Mplus 8.0 statistical software application, followed by the establishment of a structural equation model to assess the relationships that exist between these variables.ResultsThe overall blood donation rate among college and university students was 24.71%. The established model indicated that sociodemographic characteristics, health status, knowledge about blood donation, and attitude toward blood donation showed significant positive effects (0.135, 0.056, 0.321, and 0.389, respectively) on blood donation, among them, the direct effects were 0.076, -0.110, 0.143, and 0.389, respectively (P < 0.01). Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and knowledge about blood donation had indirectly affected blood donation through the mediating effect of attitude towards blood donation. Their effects on attitude towards blood donation were 0.099, 0.243, and 0.468, respectively. (P < 0.01). The model could explain explained 22.22% of the variance in blood donation behavior among college and university students in Wuhan.ConclusionBlood donation among college and university students in Wuhan was associated with sociodemographic characteristics, health status, knowledge about blood donation, and attitude towards blood donation, with attitude being the primary influencing factor. Tailored recruitment strategies for blood donation among students should prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing knowledge about blood donation and fostering positive attitudes toward it.

Project description:IntroductionGlobal evidence suggests that natural disasters are on the rise, and that earthquake harm disproportionally impacts developing countries. To mitigate these harms, disaster preparedness is an important behavioral strategy in earthquake risk mitigation. However, there is limited evidence about the levels of preparedness in developing countries, especially Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate earthquake preparedness among the general public, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework.MethodThis methodological study was conducted in Iran in 2022, involving 302 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze TPB constructs, including attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions, in relation to earthquake preparedness behaviors. The statistical analyses encompassed descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation coefficients, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.ResultsResults show that attitudes toward disaster preparedness, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly (< 0.05) influenced residents' disaster preparedness intentions. Additionally, there was good model fit of the TPB in explaining earthquake preparedness behavior. For confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of TPB model the fit indices were CMin/df = 1.35 (< 3), RMSEA = 0.03 (< 0.05); CFI = 0.96 (> 0.95); TLI = 0.95 (= 0.95), and for SEM model they were CMin/df = 1.36 (< 3), RMSEA = 0.03 (< 0.05); CFI = 0.96 (> 0.95); TLI = 0.96 (> 0.95).ConclusionThe overall fit indexes were acceptable indicating the TPB model is a valid and reliable measurement model for screening population-level readiness for earthquake preparedness, developing and/or implementing health promotion interventions. The findings also suggest that disaster education programs should emphasize the importance of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in promoting disaster preparedness.

Project description:BackgroundGender is an important social determinant, that influences healthcare. The lack of awareness on how gender influences health might lead to gender bias and can contribute to substandard patient care. Our objectives were to assess gender sensitivity and the presence of gender stereotypes among swiss medical students.MethodsA validated scale (N-GAMS - Nijmegen Gender Awareness in Medicine Scale), with 3 subscores assessing gender sensitivity (GS) and gender stereotypes toward patients (GRIP) and doctors (GRID) (ranging from 1 to 5), was translated into French and was distributed to all medical students registered at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland in April-May 2017. Reliability of the three subscales was assessed calculating the alpha Cronbach coefficient. Mean subscales were calculated for male and female students and compared using two sample t-tests. A linear model was built with each subscale as a dependent variable and students' sex and age as covariables.ResultsIn total, 396 students answered the N-GAMS questionnaire, their mean age was 22 years old, 62.6% of them were women. GS and GRID sub-scores were not significantly different between female and male students (GS 3.62 for women, 3.70 for men, p = 0.27, GRID 2.10 for women, 2.13 for men, p = 0.76). A statistically significant difference was found in the GRIP subscale, with a mean score of 1.83 for women and 2.07 for men (p < 0.001), which suggests a more gender stereotyped opinion toward patients among male students. A trend was observed with age, gender sensibility increased (p < 0.001) and stereotypes decreased (GRIP p = 0.04, GRID p = 0.02) with students getting older.ConclusionMedical students' gender sensitivity seems to improve throughout the medical curriculum, and women students have less stereotypes towards patients than men do. The implementation of a gender-sensitive teaching in the medical curriculum could improve students' knowledge, limit gender bias and improve patients' care.

Project description:BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Women with this syndrome may have infrequent menstrual periods or amenorrhea and excess androgen levels. The ovaries develop numerous small follicles and fail to ovulate on a regular basis, with subsequent subfertility in those women that wish to conceive.The etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome is unclear. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the risk of long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.ObjectivesTo assess the knowledge and attitude of university students towards polycystic ovary syndrome at two universities in the north of Jordan.Methodology: This is a cross-sectional online survey that polled female students at two universities in the north of Jordan. The main outcome measures included average polycystic ovary syndrome awareness score, predictors of high awareness scores, and sources of information.ResultsFormal diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome was reported by 29.9% of the 1182 students, the average polycystic ovary syndrome awareness score was M = 11.59 (SD = 4.95). Being a 6th and 5th year college student were the strongest independent predictors for recognizing the term polycystic ovary syndrome, in addition to be a student in the majors of veterinary medicine, nursing, pharmacy, or dentistry. Age was a significant predictor of polycystic ovary syndrome awareness score. Being investigated for, or being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome were significant predictors of higher scores. Body mass index was a weak predictor of polycystic ovary syndrome awareness. Participants who reported to have hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, or acne scored significantly higher than others.Healthcare professionals were the most common source of information reported by participants. Lectures were most effective in increasing awareness score but were poorly utilized outside the curriculum.ConclusionAlthough students in this study demonstrated a satisfactory level of polycystic ovary syndrome awareness and were more likely to seek information from healthcare professionals, this level of awareness should spread-out to other segments of the population.

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Disaster Preparedness and Awareness among University Students: A Structural Equation Analysis.

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Disaster Preparedness and Awareness among University Students: A Structural Equation Analysis.

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