Attitude of Healthcare workers towards Disaster Management practices in a Hospital of Gujarat

Abstract

Background: Effective management of a disaster requires preparedness and appropriate attitude of healthcare workers.
Attitude of the healthcare workers will impact their response during any emergency situation coping. This study was
conducted to assess overall attitude towards disaster management among the healthcare staff of 650 bedded hospital in
North Gujarat region.
Methodology: This is a cross sectional survey study carried out on 201 healthcare staff of the hospital under study. The
data was collected through an online questionnaire consisting the demographic details of the participants and followed
by questions regarding the attitude of participants toward disaster management and disaster management practices in the
hospital. Data was coded and analysed with MS Excel and SPSS.
Result: From the responses we received, it was conclude that 45.8% staff of the study hospital have taken the training
for disaster management and 44.8% staff have faced disaster during their work experience at the hospital. Among the
respondents, majority are students (56.2%), nursing staff (25.4%), doctors (11.9%) and others (6.5%). Looking to their
perception, 39.3% staff believes that the disaster preparedness in the hospital is sufficient, 22% says it is insufficient while
38.8% have neutral response.
Conclusion: Attitude of health care workers towards disaster management is very important as it impacts their response
during any emergency situation. Study showed the awareness regarding the disaster occurrence and vulnerability of the
hospital and health care workers’ attitude requires improvement. Which can be positively impacted by trainings, mockdrills,
making them aware about their roles during a disaster and disaster policy related information.