Factors of influence to the knowledge and perception of secondary school students in Belgrade about natural disasters caused by landslides

Abstract

Geospatial and temporal analyses of total number and consequences of various natural disasters in the world, clearly indicate their increase, which creates the necessity for better readiness of the population to react in such situations. At the same time, natural disasters are no longer perceived as a threat to the security of people, but also as a serious threat to national and international security. Therefore, the reasons for mitigating the consequences are concern of every man, society and nation. In this context, education about natural disasters is increasingly gaining in importance, and also is becoming recognized as a key factor in mitigating the consequences of disasters that certainly can not be prevented. The aim of this quantitative research is to determine the perception and actual knowledge of secondary school students in the Belgrade region with respect to the landslide as a natural disaster and security threat and to identify the factors that influence their knowledge and perceptions. The authors use a method of surveying students to identify and describe the factors that influence student knowledge and perceptions about earthquakes. For the purpose of this research, a sample of 3.548 students was drawn from the total population of secondary school students in Belgrade (65.561 students), which equates to 5.4% of the population. With respect to disaster risk reduction, schools should become increasingly important targets for creating and improving the culture of security that includes training youth to respond knowledgably to landslides. Schools should play a key role in providing basic information (knowledge) about potential and actual disasters in the local communities. The research results shows that the students' knowledge of the landslide influence: gender, age, education father, success in school; the perception: sex, fear of natural disasters, education in family and school; and knowledge of safety procedures reactions: age, success in school, living in a household with his grandfather, education in family and school. In view of the evident lack of education about natural disasters in Serbia, the results of this study can be used when creating a strategy for educational programs. Research suggests how to affect secondary school students in order to raise the level of perception and knowledge about landslides.