title: Cross-sectional survey of the disaster preparedness of nurses across the Asia-Pacific region.
abstract: Healthcare workers who have received disaster preparedness education are more likely to report a greater understanding of disaster preparedness. However, research indicates that current nursing curricula do not adequately prepare nurses to respond to disasters. This is the first study to assess Asia-Pacific nurses' perceptions about their level of disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 757 hospital and community nurses in seven Asia-Pacific countries. Data were collected using the modified Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool. Participants were found to have overall low-to-moderate levels of disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness, wherein important gaps were identified. A majority of the variance in disaster preparedness scores was located at the level of the individual respondent, not linked to countries or institutions. Multilevel random effects modelling identified disaster experience and education as significant factors of positive perceptions of disaster knowledge, skills, and management. The first step toward disaster preparedness is to ensure frontline health workers are able to respond effectively to disaster events. The outcomes of this study have important policy and education implications.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. Kim.usher@une.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usher
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.|Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research (CNMR), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.|Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research (CNMR), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: Caryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.affiliation: Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan.
authors.forename: Passang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dorji
authors.affiliation: Peking Union Medical College School of Nursing, Shijingshan District, Beijing.
authors.forename: Aimin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Services, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors.forename: Virya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koy
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Horiara, Solomon Islands.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pego
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Health Sciences, Lahore.
authors.forename: Souksavanh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phanpaseuth
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care, Ministry of Health, Laos, LAO PDR.
authors.forename: Olaphim
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Phouthavong
authors.affiliation: National Center for Health Professional Education, Tribhuvan University, Maharajgunj, Nepal.
authors.forename: Jamuna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sayami
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventative Medicine Department, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors.forename: Muy Seang
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lak
authors.affiliation: National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sio
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Dhaka University, Dhake, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Mohammad Mofiz
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.affiliation: Peking Union Medical College School of Nursing, Shijingshan District, Beijing.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Yuli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buettner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research (CNMR), James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.|College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010139:Pacific Islands; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Asia-Pacific; Asia-Pacific Emergency Disaster Nursing Network; disaster education; disaster nursing; disaster preparedness; survey