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Exploring persons with disabilities preparedness, perceptions and experiences of disasters in Tuvalu.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Historically, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are disproportionately affected by disasters. In Pacific Island Countries (PICs), the risks and vulnerabilities of PwDs arise from social inequalities, as well as environmental barriers. As the frequency and intensity of disasters will increase over the next decade, it is critical that the challenges faced by PwDs are addressed and that they are prepared. OBJECTIVE:This study explores disaster preparedness, perceptions, and experiences with disasters among PwDs in Tuvalu. METHODS:This qualitative study was carried out among people with physical and sensory disabilities and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who are aged 21 and above. Using grounded theory methodology, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 participants, with 7 then participating in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). RESULTS:A total of 31 PwDs participated, of which 65% were male and 35% female, with a mean age of 44 ±15.70. The results showed how the PwDs ability to prepare, their perceptions, and experiences with disasters have contributed to their resilience to disasters. CONCLUSION:This study highlights the importance of understanding PwDs lived disaster experience to improve their preparedness and resilience for future disasters. This knowledge will assist government and non-government organisations, communities, and families to develop policies and plans that will enhance the preparedness of PwDs for disasters.

SUBMITTER: Elisala N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7595426 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Exploring persons with disabilities preparedness, perceptions and experiences of disasters in Tuvalu.

Elisala Natano N Turagabeci Amelia A Mohammadnezhad Masoud M Mohammadnezhad Masoud M Mangum Tamara T

PloS one 20201029 10

<h4>Background</h4>Historically, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are disproportionately affected by disasters. In Pacific Island Countries (PICs), the risks and vulnerabilities of PwDs arise from social inequalities, as well as environmental barriers. As the frequency and intensity of disasters will increase over the next decade, it is critical that the challenges faced by PwDs are addressed and that they are prepared.<h4>Objective</h4>This study explores disaster preparedness, perceptions, and ...[more]

PMID: 33119660

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Project description:BackgroundMost U.S. studies on workforce preparedness have a narrow scope, focusing primarily on perceptions of clinical staff in a single hospital and for one type of disaster. In contrast, this study compares the perceptions of workplace disaster preparedness among both clinical and non-clinical staff at all U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities nationwide for three types of disasters (natural, epidemic/pandemic, and manmade).MethodsThe VA Preparedness Survey used a stratified simple random, web-based survey (fielded from October through December 2018) of all employees at VA medical facilities. We conducted bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to compare the sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of disaster preparedness between clinical and non-clinical VA staff.ResultsThe study population included 4026 VA employees (2488 clinicians and 1538 non-clinicians). Overall, VA staff were less confident in their medical facility's ability to respond to epidemic/pandemics and manmade disasters. Depending on the type of disaster, clinical staff, compared to non-clinical staff, were less likely to be confident in their VA medical facility's ability to respond to natural disasters (OR:0.78, 95% CI:0.67-0.93, p < 0.01), pandemics (OR:0.82, 95% CI:0.70-0.96, p < 0.05), and manmade disasters (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63-0.86, p < 0.001). On the other hand, clinicians, compared to non-clinicians, were 1.45 to 1.78 more likely to perceive their role in disaster response to be important (natural OR:1.57, 95% CI:1.32-1.87; pandemic OR:1.78, 95% CI:1.51-2.10; manmade: OR:1.45; 95% CI: 1.23-1.71; p's < 0.001), and 1.27 to 1.29 more likely to want additional trainings to prepare for all three types of disasters (natural OR:1.29, 95% CI:1.10-1.51; pandemic OR:1.27, 95% CI:1.08-1.49; manmade OR:1.29; 95% CI:1.09-1.52; p's < 0.01). Clinicians were more likely to be women, younger, and more educated (p's < 0.001) than non-clinicians. Compared to clinicians, non-clinical staff had been employed longer with the VA (p < 0.025) and were more likely to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese findings suggest both a desire and a need for additional training, particularly for clinicians, and with a focus on epidemics/pandemics and manmade disasters. Training programs should underscore the importance of non-clinical roles when responding to disasters.

Project description:IntroductionChildren are one of the most vulnerable groups in disasters. Improving students' knowledge and skills to prepare for disasters can play a major role in children's health. School as a place to teach children can make a significant contribution to provide the necessary skills. This study aims to identify the effects, strengths and weaknesses of interventions in schools to prepare children for disasters.Methods and analysisWe use Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to develop a protocol for this systematic review. The included studies will report on the results of interventions targeting 'schoolchildren' defined as individuals between 4 and under 18 years old studying in schools. Different electronic databases will be used for a comprehensive literature search, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE to identify the records that match the mentioned inclusion criteria published till December 2020. The main search terms are 'disaster', 'preparedness', 'children' and 'school'. Four types of data will be extracted from the qualified studies including study characteristics (study design, year of publication and geographical region where the study was conducted), participant characteristics (sample size, age and gender), intervention characteristics (aim of intervention, intervention facilitators and barriers) and intervention outcomes. The quality appraisal of the selected papers will be conducted using Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias for quantitative studies and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies. We use a narrative synthesis for this systematic review. The narrative synthesis refers to an approach to systematic reviews which focuses mostly on applying words and texts to summarise and explain findings.Ethics and disseminationThis paper is a part of a Ph.D. thesis of Hamed Seddighi at University of Social welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences with ethics code IR.USWR.REC.1399.008 approved by the Ethics Committee of the above-mentioned university.Prospero registration numberCRD42020146536.

Project description:ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of natural disasters on communities in the Barisal division of Bangladesh, exploring community approaches to disaster preparedness and mitigation.SettingCommunities in all districts of the Barisal division of Bangladesh.ParticipantsQuantitative data were collected through a cross-sectional household survey (n=9263 households; n=38?981 individuals). Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews (n=7) and focus group discussions (n=23) with key informants.Outcome measuresQuantitative research recorded features of natural disaster events from the previous 5?years, documenting risk factors that increase vulnerability to disaster, use of disaster warning systems and evacuation processes. Qualitative research investigated disaster risk perceptions, experiences during and following disaster, and disaster preparedness practices.ResultsThe survey response rate was 94.7%. Exposure to disaster in the last 5?years was high (82%) with flooding and cyclones considered the greatest threats. Awareness of evacuation processes was low; and only 19% of respondents evacuated their homes at the time of disaster. Drowning during disaster was the primary concern (87%), followed by debt, livestock and crop loss (78%). The qualitative findings indicated prevailing fatalistic perceptions towards natural disasters among community. The consequences of disasters included significant loss of livelihoods and exposure to infections due to poor sanitation. There was also insufficient support for the most vulnerable, particularly women, children and the elderly. Although several community preparedness and practices existed, there was a lack of response to early warning systems. Barriers to disaster response and resilience included financial insecurities, loss of livelihoods and cultural concerns regarding women's privacy.ConclusionsCritical to achieving disaster resilience is increased government investment in infrastructure and systems-level responses that empower communities. Further research can support this by addressing community challenges to promoting disaster resilience and how to leverage existing community strengths to implement locally owned solutions.

Dataset Information

Exploring persons with disabilities preparedness, perceptions and experiences of disasters in Tuvalu.

Publications

Exploring persons with disabilities preparedness, perceptions and experiences of disasters in Tuvalu.

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