ROLE OF SELF-INSTRUCTION MODULE IN IMPROVEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Abstract

Background: Incessant rains in the Kolhapur region has led to disastrous flood situations in the past. Disaster preparedness is therefore necessitated to counter the loss suffered by the residents and is closely linked to knowledge improvement. Self-instruction Module (SIM) has been extensively used as a learning tool in healthcare and has proven its effectiveness in knowledge improvement. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of SIM on disaster preparedness among the residents of the flood prone areas of Karveer taluka, Kolhapur and to determine the association between the knowledge scores and the socio-demographic variables. Methods: Consenting participants from Karveer taluka were recruited to evaluate the efficiency of SIM through a structured knowledge tool using pre-test-post-test design. Both—SIM and knowledge tool, were sent for expert evaluation. Data were collected during specific periods between January and February 2019. Improvement in knowledge score was determined through qualitative and evaluative approach. Results: Significant improvement in knowledge scores was observed between pre-and post-test scores (P<0.001) of 100 consenting participants. Association was lacking between the knowledge scores and the socio-demographic variables. Conclusion: SIM developed in the study was effective in improving knowledge score, across all age groups, and could be used to improve the disaster preparedness of the residents of flood-prone areas.