Background. Current disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels need to be evaluated to guide plans to strengthen disaster readiness. Objective. This study aimed to explore the Jordanian staff nurses’ perception regarding their familiarity, attitudes, and practices for disaster preparedness (DP) to reduce the negative impacts of disasters. Methods. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study. The study was conducted on nurses working at governmental and private hospitals in Jordan. A convenience sample of 240 currently working nurses was recruited to participate in the study. Results. The nurses were somewhat familiar with their role in DP (2.9 ± .84). The nurses’ overall attitude towards DP was 2.2 ± 0.38, indicating that respondents had medium attitude levels. A low practice level for DP (1.59 ± 0.45) was also observed. Among the studied demographic variables, there was a significant relationship between experience and prior training with improved familiarity and practices. This indicates a need for strengthening nurses’ practical skills as well as their theoretical knowledge. However, there is only a significant difference between attitude scale scores and disaster preparedness training (f = 10.120; p = 0.002 ). Conclusions. The study findings support the need for more training (academic and/or institutional) to increase and improve nursing disaster preparedness locally and globally.

Health-related stigma is a common phenomenon worldwide. The stigma associated with mental illness is widespread. Stigma is an important barrier to mental health treatment and recovery. Aim: This study aims to determine level of internalized stigma of mentally ill patients and to identify factors associated with high level of internalized stigma of mentally illness. Study Design: quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was used. Setting: This study was carried out at National Center for Mental Health-Fhais Hospital-Jordan. Sample: convenient sample (All available patients with depressive disorders, bipolar mood spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. at age of 18 years and above. An estimated sample size was estimated about 105 patients which represents approximately of the total number of patient in National Center for Mental Health-Fhais Hospital). Data collection tool: Data was collected through a structured Interviewing questionnaire which composed from two parts. First Part: Personal Health Questions Second Part: Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale. Results: One hundred and five participants participated in the study. The majority of them aged between 15-45 years old and only 22.9% of them were between 46-60 years old. Overall, stigma total score was also closed to the middle point. The intercorrelation between stigma domains it is evident that the first four domains (alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination experience, and social withdrawal) had a significant correlation with the stigma total score. Conclusion: Internalized stigma is a major problem among persons with mental illness at National Center for Mental Health-Fhais Hospital-Jordan. Internalized stigma has the potential to substantially affect adherence to medication and is likely to affect the recovery process.