Evaluating the Level of Disaster Preparedness of Tunisian University Hospitals Using the Hospital Safety Index: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction:Midway through the ‘Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’, many nations are spending time, money and effort to enhance their level of preparedness when facing disasters, on the other hand communities, countries and even continents are being left behind. This study was conducted aiming at evaluating the level of disaster preparedness and response of Tunisian University Hospitals.Method:This is a cross-sectional nationwide study conducted in Tunisia, from November 2020 to April 2021. Including nine Tunisian University Hospitals and using the Hospital Safety Index. The data were analyzed using the 'Module and safety index calculator'.Results:This study showed that seven out of the nine University Hospitals were assigned the ‘B’ category of safety with overall safety indexes that ranged between 0.37 and 0.62. Also, four out of nine University Hospitals had safety scores less than 0.20 regarding their emergency and disaster management.Conclusion:This is the first study to evaluate disaster preparedness and response of university hospitals in Tunisia and in north Africa. It showed that the lack of knowledge, resources and willingness, are the most important issues that need to be addressed in order to enhance the preparedness of Tunisian hospitals.