Disaster Preparedness and Associated Factors Among Emergency Nurses in Guangdong Province, China: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of disaster preparedness and to explore associated factors among emergency nurses in Guangdong Province, China. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the mainland China version of the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool was used to collect data from 633 nurses working in 26 emergency departments, in August 2018. Descriptive analyses were used to examine the disaster preparedness, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate associated factors. Results: The perceived disaster preparedness of emergency nurses was at a moderate level. Among the 5 dimensions, the score for disaster management was lowest. Emergency nurses’ disaster training (r = .26; P < 0.001) and drill experiences (r = .22; P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with disaster preparedness. Six significant factors associated with disaster preparedness were identified in this study: age, gender, disaster training experience, disaster drill experience, willingness, and educational level (R2 = .14; F = 18.20; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Hospitals and nurse managers should carry out interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary cooperation to improve emergency nurses’ disaster preparedness, especially disaster management. Organizing disaster simulation exercises, providing psychological support and safety considerations, and formulating disaster nursing training programs may be beneficial for emergency nurses’ disaster preparedness.

Are Nurses Ready for a Disaster in Turkey? A Hospital Case

“…(2021) argued that nurses' perception of disaster preparedness was moderate. 33 In this study, the disaster preparedness scores of the nurses are determined as moderate. This situation increases their awareness, self-confidence, and skills in disaster intervention and reduces their vulnerability to unforeseen phenomena.…”

“…18,21,36 In the study of Wang et al (2021), 2 of the main factors associated with disaster preparedness were expressed as disaster education and disaster drill experience. 33 Sattar et al (2018) found that a positive change occurred in the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students following disaster education. 37 In this study, it was seen that education and disaster drills positively affected nurses' perceptions of disaster preparedness.…”

“…19–32 Wang et al (2021) argued that nurses’ perception of disaster preparedness was moderate. 33 In this study, the disaster preparedness scores of the nurses are determined as moderate.…”

Disaster Preparedness of Nursing Students in Northern Cyprus: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

“…6 Studies conducted with nurses indicate that the average score for nurses' disaster preparedness is moderate. [7][8][9][10] It has been reported that nurses' skills, knowledge, disaster education, and disaster experience have an impact on their disaster preparedness. 8,9 Similarly, studies with healthcare students suggest that students' preparedness for disasters is moderate.…”

Stress and Coping in Emergency Nurses Following Trauma Patient Care: A Qualitative Grounded Theory Approach

“…Emergency nurses are at risk for stress in a variety of situations, including disaster management (Wang et al, 2023), workplace violence (Li et al, 2019), patient deaths (Portoghese et al, 2021), and trauma care (Abu-Alhaija & Gillespie, 2022). Trauma nursing experiences have been associated with elevated cortisol levels, intrusive thoughts, arousal, and avoidance (Balters et al, 2020; Worku et al, 2022).…”