Abstract
IntroductionEarthquake preparedness is necessary strategy and action that is done before an earthquake happens in order to decrease mortality and morbidity. Earthquake in Nepal killed more than 8000 people in 2015. Increased number of deaths were mainly considered due to lack of earthquake preparedness and necessary safety measures.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding earthquake preparedness and to find out relationship between the level of knowledge and with their selected socio-demographic variables.MethodologyA cross sectional study was conducted among the people residing in ward number 11 and 18 of Biratnagar sub-metropolis from 1st July to 1st October 2015. Wards were selected through simple random sampling and 110 participants were selected through convenient sampling. Each participant had completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics was applied for data analysis.ResultAmong 110 participants, 51.8% had knowledge score between 51% to 75%, 24.6% had knowledge score below 50% and only 23.6% had knowledge score above 75%. This research showed that there was significant relationship between knowledge and age, marital status, educational status, occupation and monthly income. Participants from 20 to 39 year had more knowledge score than participants from 40 to 60 years. The higher the educational status; more was the knowledge score. Unmarried participants had more knowledge score than married participants and business holders had more knowledge score than other occupation category.ConclusionEarthquake preparedness knowledge among participants was inadequate. Therefore, educational intervention program regarding this is required in these areas. Birat Journal of Health Sciences Vol.2/No.1/Issue 2/ Jan - April 2017, page: 201-205
Highlights
An earthquake is the percep ble shaking of the surface of the earth, which can be violent enough to destroy major buildings and kill thousands of people
Among 110 par cipants, 51.8% had knowledge score between 51% to 75%, 24.6% had knowledge score below 50% and only 23.6% had knowledge score above 75%
In contrast to this study, the study conducted by Oral M et al in Turkey revealed no sta s cal significance between age and knowledge, this might be due to different format of ques onnaire used and research conducted in Turkey was done in the area where earthquake had caused massive damage.[6]
Summary
An earthquake is the percep ble shaking of the surface of the earth, which can be violent enough to destroy major buildings and kill thousands of people. The recent massive destruc ve earthquake occurred in Nepal on 25th April, 2015 AD with the magnitude of 7.8 Richter scale. Another major earthquake was felt on 12th May, 2015 AD of 7.2 Richter scale. Past records have shown that Nepal can expect two earthquakes of 7.5-8 Richter scale every forty years and one earthquake of magnitude of 8+ Richter scale every eighty years.[4] The preparedness level of Kathmandu ci zen (n=430) was only found to be 50.3% 92.6% of the par cipants had expressed their concern regarding earthquake preparedness.[9] A posi ve correla on between earthquake knowledge and earthquake prepara on indicated that par cipants with more earthquake preparedness knowledge were more likely to be prepared for earthquake.[10] Considering the knowledge and negligence about earthquake preparedness as a key factor to prevent the hazards and casual es by earthquake me and to contribute something towards up-li men of this worse condi on of country, researchers were interested in study related to knowledge regarding earthquake preparedness. The objec ves of the study were to assess the knowledge about earthquake preparedness among the people of selected ward of Biratnagar and to find out the rela onship between the knowledge score and with their selected sociodemographic variables
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